Promising EU policy solutions to address the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems nexus

In the context of climate change and increasing pressure on natural resources, ensuring water, energy, and food security, alongside conserving ecosystems, are some of the most pressing challenges facing Europe. Addressing Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus governance should be a top priority for the new European Parliament, the European Commission 2024-2029, and Member States. WEFE nexus governance refers to the coordinated management of water, energy, food, and ecosystems to address interlinked challenges. The GoNEXUS team has developed a framework to co-design and assess innovative nexus solutions, helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and ultimately enhancing nexus governance. This policy brief aims to highlight the importance of WEFE nexus governance and bring up a set of promising policy solutions to policymakers and Commission Services on environment, water resilience, circular economy, agriculture and food, energy, climate and clean growth.