Developing Socio-Techno-Economic-Political (STEP) Solutions for Addressing Resource Nexus Hotspots
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Resource Systems: Not Just Interconnected, but Also Multidimensional
2.1. Water Coordinates: From W (m3) to W (m3, X:Y, Time, Source, Quality)
2.2. Food Coordinates: From F (Ton) to F (Tons, Source, X:Y, Time, Kcal)
2.3. Energy Coordinates: From E (kWh) to E (kWh, Source, X:Y, Time)
3. Critical Questions and Interlinkages
4. Players Are Interconnected and Multi-Dimensional
5. Resource Systems and Players Differ and Interact within and across Scales
6. An Iterative 3-Filter STEP Framework for Vetting WEF Nexus Scenarios
Feedback Loops and Cross-Thematic Interactions
- Question #1: Are the proposed resource allocation scenarios moving forward within the physical resource constraints at the given operational scale? Is there sufficient water, land, financial, and human capital resources for the given scenario?
- If YES: Move to Filter II.
- If NO: Develop new scenarios that do not require resources that exceed available limits.
- Question #2: Given the nature of the involved stakeholders, their interactions, power relations, value systems, and goals, which of the scenarios identified as ‘feasible’ in Question 1 could be implemented? Are there challenges beyond physical resource constraints that relate to understanding the realities of the stakeholder landscape?
- If NO: Move to Filter III to check governance structures and financing schemes for scenario.
- If YES: Return to Filter I (Loop 1) to explore different scenario possibilities.
- Question #3: If the scenario clears Loop 1, through Filters I and II, who would govern the implementation of the scenario moving forward, and who will finance it? Is this consistent with the stakeholder involvement and the interactions presented in Filter II? Does implementing the given scenario result in policy coherence? Does the existing governance structure allow for implementation?
- If YES: Loop 2 clears, the proposed scenario could be promoted.
- If NO: we have the option of investigating other scenarios identified as ‘feasible’ from both the physical resource and the stakeholder perspective, though Loop 2. Alternatively, we could go through Loop 3 and investigate other scenarios in Filter I.
- Question #4: Does a proposed governance structure ensure that the scenario provided by Filter I can be implemented? Are there any limitations/constraints?
- If YES: Loop 3 clears.
- If NO: Revisit the solution portfolio in Filter I and propose another solution; one that fits Filter III limitations.
- long term sustainability of the physical resource is not compromised (Filter I);
- stakeholders are effective partners in the solution (Filter II);
- implementation and long-term governance of the solution are feasible (Filter III).
7. WEF Nexus, Government, Business, Society and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Capitalizing on Existing Momentum
8. Concluding Remarks
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
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Daher, B.; Mohtar, R.H.; Pistikopoulos, E.N.; Portney, K.E.; Kaiser, R.; Saad, W. Developing Socio-Techno-Economic-Political (STEP) Solutions for Addressing Resource Nexus Hotspots. Sustainability 2018, 10, 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020512
Daher B, Mohtar RH, Pistikopoulos EN, Portney KE, Kaiser R, Saad W. Developing Socio-Techno-Economic-Political (STEP) Solutions for Addressing Resource Nexus Hotspots. Sustainability. 2018; 10(2):512. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020512
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaher, Bassel, Rabi H. Mohtar, Efstratios N. Pistikopoulos, Kent E. Portney, Ronald Kaiser, and Walid Saad. 2018. "Developing Socio-Techno-Economic-Political (STEP) Solutions for Addressing Resource Nexus Hotspots" Sustainability 10, no. 2: 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020512