As the world aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, energy-heavy sectors like power, transportation, and construction are under the spotlight. These sectors play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions, but their interconnections can make tracking emissions tricky. This could slow down global progress toward carbon neutrality.
A key conversation since the 1990s has been around the integration of food, energy, and water (FEW) sectors. Each of these sectors contributes to carbon emissions. Neglecting to collaborate across them can lead to ineffective solutions and unintended consequences.
A recent study titled “Operationalizing Food-Energy-Water Nexus toward Carbon Neutrality” by Daohan Huang and colleagues sheds light on this issue. They dive into how these interconnected sectors impact carbon emissions and explore strategies to work together more effectively.
The FEW nexus refers to all the relationships between food, energy, and water systems. It includes visible and hidden connections that span regions and scales. The study highlights three complexities within this nexus: linkage complexity (where one change can trigger others), element complexity (interactions that vary at different levels), and interactive complexity (the effects of the changing environment on these systems).
Additionally, the authors identify two major hurdles: poor collaboration in research and unclear policies guiding FEW governance. They propose new methodologies to improve FEW practices aimed at carbon neutrality. This involves focusing on specific sectors while also considering the broader impact through strategic implementation steps.
One highlighted approach is to view FEW nexus practices through a carbon lens. The carbon status of each node (or sector) can be classified as positive, neutral, or negative. Interestingly, out of 27 possible combinations of these statuses, 12 remain uncertain. This ambiguity can complicate efforts toward effective carbon management.
A significant recommendation from the study is to create a fair system for distributing carbon profits. By measuring contributions from various technologies and policies, sectors can ensure a more equitable allocation of resources. This is vital for fostering collaboration across regions and sectors.
These insights come at a crucial time when many are looking for actionable steps to address climate change. For instance, a recent survey showed that nearly 75% of people believe that collaborative efforts between sectors can lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
For more detailed insights, the paper published in *Frontiers in Engineering Management* elaborates on these findings. You can access it [here](https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-025-5006-1).
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Newswise, food-energy-water nexus;Carbon Neutrality;Complexity;leverage points;carbon profit allocation, Frontiers of Engineering Management
