The trade-offs between food, water and energy can generate unsustainable urbanization pathways, which contribute to socio-economic problems including poverty, conflicts and diseases. However, too little is known about the intersection of FWE in cities. On the other hand, Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) has emerged as a viable solution to many urban problems with low cost, sustainable outcomes.

Results and outcomes

Guidebook: Innovating in Urban Green and Blue Infrastructure to Improve the Food-Water-Energy Nexus: An Implementation Guide for Cities and Subnational Governments.

The guidebook directs cities to improve food-water-energy nexus using green and blue infrastructure in cities. The food-water-energy nexus is based on “systems thinking” instead of “silos thinking” to help integrate different sectors and departments in managing resources to improve efficiency and quality in the use of food, water and energy. By identifying the connections between these elements and the sectors involved in their governance, this guide adopts an “urban metabolism” approach. It outlines an integrated management vision in providing environmental services to its inhabitants. By considering the synergies and trade-offs between these resources within a collaborative governance approach, the methodology presented here can help urban managers and policy makers on the pathway toward sustainable development.

Read the Guidebook

Other results

Atlas of FWEN Innovation and Green and Blue Infrastructure

ICLEI cases

Special Issue in the Journal of Cleaner Production: “Innovations in Urban Green and Blue Infrastructure: Tackling local and global challenges in cities”

Read the results interview!