Learn how integrated modelling and planning tools can help tackle the complex challenges at the intersection of water, energy, and food systems.
This module explores the core principles of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus and offers learners hands-on experience with tools and models designed to understand and manage the interconnections between these vital systems. The courses introduce the ONEPlanET model and modelling toolkit, offering a structured approach to assess trade-offs, identify synergies, and support integrated planning. You will work with conceptual frameworks, system dynamics, and the iWEF 1.0 platform, while engaging with practical case studies, simulation tools, and a serious game. By the end of the module, learners will be equipped to apply these tools to real-world challenges such as climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity.4o
2.1 Module Introduction: ONEPlanET: A novel contribution to Water Energy Food Nexus Modelling
9 minutes
Video
by Raquel Lopez
This course provides a comprehensive overview of how ONEPlanET Project is contributing to the Energy Transition in Africa and the key role of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Modelling in this challenging process. Participants will learn about the benefits of the WEF Nexus thinking and modelling. By the course's end, learners will grasp the different processes developed within ONEPlanET for the definition of a common modelling framework in the project's case studies.
Key messages
Nexus thinking: The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach can play a key role in the definition of energy policies and in planning new energy infrastructure in Africa. Understanding the Nexus is crucial to identify trade-offs, promotion of synergies, and define more integrated and cost-effective decision making.
Nexus modelling: ONEPlanET Project is developing an open source WEF Nexus model, which also includes relations with other sectors as climate, socio-economy and land. The model, built in System Dynamics, will allow simulating different policy scenarios. Three relevant case studies in Africa have been selected, that represent different types of river basins: Songwe (Malawi/Tanzania), Inkomati-Usuthu (South Africa) and Bani river (Mali).
Definition of a common modelling framework in Project case studies: This first step of the model development includes (i) assessment of existing databases and models (ii) selection of features to be covered (iii) development of WEF conceptual models (iv) policy selection and scenario implementation and (v) Nexus database development.
2.2 Conceptual Models
7 minutes
Video
by Sara Masia
w
Key messages
The Interconnection of Water, Energy, and Food Resources (WEF Nexus): The WEF nexus highlights the critical interdependence of water, energy, and food systems. Managing these resources requires an integrated approach to ensure sustainability and avoid resource overuse or depletion.
Challenges of Resource Consumption and Sustainability: Current trends in global freshwater withdrawals, energy production, and food demands are pushing the limits of planetary boundaries. These challenges necessitate sustainable solutions to support growing populations and future needs.
The Importance of Systems Thinking in Addressing WEF Nexus Challenges: Solving WEF nexus challenges requires a systems-thinking approach that considers the complex interactions and trade-offs between resources, ensuring informed decision-making for sustainable outcomes.
2.3 Interactive Exercises iWEF
20 minutes
Video
by Cuthbert Taguta
The course introduces participants to the theoretical foundation of the geospatial web-based integrative analytical tool for the water-energy-food nexus (the iWEF 1.0). The tool uses stakeholder input in the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to establish numerical correlations among WEF nexus indicators and pillars, mainly availability, productivity, accessibility, and sufficiency. Secondary to this, the module will practically demonstrate how to analyse the state of the WEF nexus in a case study using the iWEF tool. Hence, the module will illustrate the utility of the iWEF tool as a digital platform for guiding WEF-related policy and decision-making in holistically managing risk from trade-offs, enhancing synergies, and devising timely interventions in priority areas that could be showing signs of stress.
Key messages
Use the iWEF tool to assess the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Gain practical experience with integrated modelling, including the AHP-based iWEF platform, to analyse interlinkages, trade-offs, and synergies for sustainable resource planning.
Learn to incorporate stakeholder input into decision-making Understand how the iWEF tool uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to capture stakeholder priorities and support inclusive, context-driven solutions.
Interpret results and develop actionable WEF recommendations Build skills to analyse iWEF outputs, extract insights, and propose targeted interventions to improve WEF system sustainability and resilience.
2.4 Exploring the WEF Nexus Index
Coming Soon
2.5 System Dynamics Modeling for WEF Nexus Systems Evaluation
7 minutes
Video
by Luis Javier Miguel
This talk serves as a brief introduction to system dynamics and its application in modelling Water-Energy-Food systems. The basic concepts of system dynamics modelling will be presented with a few simple examples. In conclusion, the modelling will focus on the WEF-Nexus.
Key messages
System dynamics offers a powerful framework to understand and simulate complex systems: Using feedback loops, causal relationships, and stock-flow diagrams, this approach helps make sense of dynamic interactions in real-world systems.
Simulation models support evidence-based decision-making: System dynamics allows users to test scenarios and policy interventions, providing insights into long-term impacts and guiding more effective strategies.
The Water-Energy-Food Nexus benefits from a system dynamics approach: By modelling interdependencies among water, energy, and food systems—alongside socioeconomic drivers—we can better manage resources and plan for sustainability.
2.6 Data Challenges in WEF-Nexus Modelling
2h
Webinar
by Iván Ramos
by Raquel Lopez
by Adrián Mateo
by Pedro Serra
One of the main challenges of the ONEPlanET Project is the creation of a structured and comprehensive database, covering the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) domains but also socio-economy, environmental or climate sectors, at different scales. This insightful webinar delves into how the Project is navigating data challenges within the WEF Nexus. During the webinar, the main challenges addressed to process geolocated data and national-scale data will be presented. For geolocated data, the following topics will be covered: Challenges of geolocated data for building timeseries Data collection from gridded datasets (e.g. FLO1K and ERA5 Land) Downscaling based on gridded datasets (e.g. Temperature from Copernicus C3S) For open-access databases, reporting data at the national level, specific examples will be presented related to: Downscaling based on different approaches Validation of downscaled results Consistency of units (currency) Policy downscaling
2.7 ONEPlanET Models Part I: Water, Energy and Food Models
15 minutes
Video
by Sara Masia
by Laura Bartolomé
by Tsitsi Bangira
In this module, we will present the Water, Energy, and Food modules of a WEF Nexus model developed in Vensim. Each module's structure will be briefly explained, highlighting the key components and processes involved. We will discuss the expected outcomes of the model and the interlinkages between the modules, demonstrating how changes in one sector can affect the others. This comprehensive overview will provide insights into the dynamics of the WEF Nexus and its implications for sustainable resource management.
ONEPlanET Water Model
ONEPlanET Energy Model
Key messages
System dynamics offers a powerful framework to understand and simulate complex systems: Using feedback loops, causal relationships, and stock-flow diagrams, this approach helps make sense of dynamic interactions in real-world systems.
Simulation models support evidence-based decision-making: System dynamics allows users to test scenarios and policy interventions, providing insights into long-term impacts and guiding more effective strategies.
The Water-Energy-Food Nexus benefits from a system dynamics approach: By modelling interdependencies among water, energy, and food systems—alongside socioeconomic drivers—we can better manage resources and plan for sustainability.
2.8 ONEPlanET models Part II: socio economic, climatic and environmental
4 minutes
Video
by Pedro Serra
This talk serves as a brief introduction to system dynamics and its application in modelling Water-Energy-Food systems. The basic concepts of system dynamics modelling will be presented with a few simple examples. In conclusion, the modelling will focus on the WEF-Nexus.
Key messages
Recognise the limitations of traditional WEF models and the benefits of dynamic socioeconomic integration. Conventional WEF Nexus models often treat the economy and population as fixed inputs. This module shows how modelling them endogenously enables more realistic scenarios and stronger policy analysis.
Explore how to design a socioeconomic module using demand-side GDP and population modelling. Learners will see how to build flexible scenarios by modelling economic and demographic growth within the system, improving our ability to project and plan for WEF resource demands.
Analyse how feedback between resource scarcity and economic growth informs better policy. By linking economic performance to resource availability through a scarcity indicator, the model helps identify vulnerabilities and supports the design of more resilient, adaptive strategies.
.jpg)
