Addressing the challenges of water-energy-food nexus programme in the context of sustainable development and climate change in South Africa

Abstract The fast-growing pace of the world's population and increasing pressure exerted on global life supporting natural systems due to amplified resource use consumption coupled with impacts climate change necessitates development innovative technologies comprehensive policy frameworks address looming crisis in water, energy food nexus. As 30th driest country globally, South Africa has embarked enacted a pro-water-energy nexus which aims create an understanding interdependencies three components their influence socio-economic growth national face change-induced environmental changes. While these policies programmes appear have sound theoretical basis, implementation been hindered by number structural systemic challenges. Using methods inspired tradition participatory research, this paper discusses strengths weaknesses water-energy-food framework within context its order achieve security. findings revealed that while some level progress attained improve livelihoods using ecosystem, broader goal concept failed materialise poor execution programme, is exacerbated lack synergies, establishment collaborations partnerships among relevant actors mandated management inadequate investment. This recommends coordinated approach implementing programme objective sustainable goals (SDGs) framework.