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The Water, Energy & Food Security Nexus

How to Govern Complex Risks to Sustainable Supply?

SWP Comment 2013/C 32, 26.09.2013, 8 Pages Research Areas

In its 2013 report “Global Trends 2030”, the US National Intelligence Council described the interconnected risks in water, energy and food supply security as a “megatrend” that will gain global momentum in the near future. By 2030, demand for food, water and energy will have increased by 35, 40 and 50 percent, respectively. This will create new shortages and worsen those that already exist. The probable consequences – water scarcity, and food and energy crises – could endanger human health and destabilise political systems both within individual countries and beyond national borders. This comment focuses on the political dimension of such complex risks and outlines options for and barriers to their integrated governance.

English summary of the findings of SWP-Studie 2013/S 11