This list of reports, articles and research that illustrates and documents the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. While many of them call out the WEF Nexus specifically, some of them might not have as obvious a connection, so we’ve made those connections for you.

GRACE Nexus Reports

Know the Nexus (The Nexus Report)

“Know the Nexus” explains the clear consequences for public health, the economy and the environment when the food, water and energy nexus becomes unbalanced. It describes how and where these systems intersect, how they rely upon each other to function and how they can have a significant impact on each other. It also describes how our national policies and management (or lack thereof) on topics such as fracking and food and energy subsidies affect food, water and energy systems in both positive and negative ways. We need policies that address the complexity of the nexus at all levels of government. “Know the Nexus” urges individuals, businesses and governments to take a nexus approach.

Meet the Nexus (The Nexus Guide)

The Nexus Guide shows how everyday food, water and energy decisions have a profound effect on each other and suggests nine simple, daily choices to make in order to use food, water and energy more sustainably. The Nexus concept is broken down into easy-to-digest parts by revealing the hidden connections between food, water and energy in the grocery store, at home and in the kitchen. It also highlights how some local governments and small businesses are making good nexus decisions that protect the environment and keep costs down.

The Food-Water-Energy Nexus

The Energy-Water Nexus

The Food-Energy Nexus

The Congressional Research Service: Energy Use in Agriculture: Background and Issues

This report provides baseline information on energy use by the US agricultural sector and touches upon emerging issues and related legislation.

This report provides baseline information on energy use by the US agricultural sector and touches upon emerging issues and related legislation. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Energy Use in Organic Food Systems

This report analyzed energy use in organic agriculture, in comparison with conventional agriculture, and found that organic agriculture uses less fossil fuel-based inputs and has a smaller carbon footprint than standard agricultural practices.

This report analyzed energy use in organic agriculture, in comparison with conventional agriculture, and found that organic agriculture uses less fossil fuel-based inputs and has a smaller carbon footprint than standard agricultural practices. The Webber Group: The Nexus of Food, Waste and Energy

This analysis of how food, waste and energy are connected looks at the production, transportation and storage of food and the energy embedded in food waste, as well as the energy potential of waste streams.

This analysis of how food, waste and energy are connected looks at the production, transportation and storage of food and the energy embedded in food waste, as well as the energy potential of waste streams. Union of Concerned Scientists: Renewable Energy and Agriculture: A Natural Fit

These four fact sheets on renewable energy and agriculture provide information on renewable energy technologies and the rural economic development opportunities they could create.

The Food-Water Nexus