IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i3p1326-d488035.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Regional Coordination and Security of Water–Energy–Food Symbiosis in Northeastern China

Author

Listed:
  • Hongfang Li

    (College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Huixiao Wang

    (College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Yaxue Yang

    (College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Ruxin Zhao

    (College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

The interactions of water, energy, and food, which are essential resources for human survival, livelihoods, production, and development, constitute a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. Applying symbiosis theory, the economic, social, and natural factors were considered at the same time in the WEF system, and we conducted a micro-level investigation focusing on the stability, coordination, and sustainability of the symbiotic units (water, energy, and food), and external environment of the WEF system in 36 prefecture-level cities across three northeastern provinces of China. Finally, we analyzed the synergistic safety and coupling coordination degree of the WEF system by the combination of stability, coordination, and sustainability, attending to the coordination relationship and influences of the external environment. The results indicated that the synergistic safety of the WEF system in three northeastern provinces need to equally pay attention to the stability, coordination, and sustainability of the WEF system, since their weights were 0.32, 0.36 and 0.32, respectively. During 2010–2016, the synergistic safety indexes of the WEF system ranged between 0.40 and 0.60, which was a state of boundary safety. In the current study, the coupling coordination degree of the WEF system fluctuated around a value of 0.6, maintaining a primary coordination level; while in the future of 2021–2026, it will decline to 0.57–0.60, dropping to a weak coordinated level. The conclusion could provide effective information for decision-makers to take suitable measures for the security development of a WEF system.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongfang Li & Huixiao Wang & Yaxue Yang & Ruxin Zhao, 2021. "Regional Coordination and Security of Water–Energy–Food Symbiosis in Northeastern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1326-:d:488035
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/3/1326/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/3/1326/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Howarth, Candice & Monasterolo, Irene, 2016. "Understanding barriers to decision making in the UK energy-food-water nexus: The added value of interdisciplinary approaches," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 53-60.
    2. Galdeano-Gómez, E. & Aznar-Sánchez, J.A. & Pérez-Mesa, J.C. & Piedra-Muñoz, L., 2017. "Exploring Synergies Among Agricultural Sustainability Dimensions: An Empirical Study on Farming System in Almería (Southeast Spain)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 99-109.
    3. Yuan Chang & Guijun Li & Yuan Yao & Lixiao Zhang & Chang Yu, 2016. "Quantifying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Current Status and Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Yuan, Kuang-Yu & Lin, Ying-Chen & Chiueh, Pei-Te & Lo, Shang-Lien, 2018. "Spatial optimization of the food, energy, and water nexus: A life cycle assessment-based approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 502-514.
    5. Christopher Napoli & Berenice Garcia-Tellez, 2016. "A framework for understanding energy for water," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(3), pages 339-361, May.
    6. Liu, Xiang-dong & Gao, Jie, 2011. "Discussion on the Index System of Intensive Land Use Evaluation in Development Area," Asian Agricultural Research, USA-China Science and Culture Media Corporation, vol. 2(02), pages 1-7, February.
    7. Mehmet Islamoglu & Mehmet Apan & Ahmet Oztel, 2015. "An Evaluation of the Financial Performance of REITs in Borsa Istanbul: A Case Study Using the Entropy-Based TOPSIS Method," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 6(2), pages 124-138, April.
    8. Bazilian, Morgan & Rogner, Holger & Howells, Mark & Hermann, Sebastian & Arent, Douglas & Gielen, Dolf & Steduto, Pasquale & Mueller, Alexander & Komor, Paul & Tol, Richard S.J. & Yumkella, Kandeh K., 2011. "Considering the energy, water and food nexus: Towards an integrated modelling approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(12), pages 7896-7906.
    9. Unknown, 2016. "Energy for Sustainable Development," Conference Proceedings 253270, Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies (IDSAsr).
    10. Ali Karnib, 2018. "Bridging Science and Policy in Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Using the Q-Nexus Model for Informing Policy Making," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(15), pages 4895-4909, December.
    11. Ringler, C. & Willenbockel, D. & Perez, N. & Rosegrant, M. & Zhu, T. & Matthews, Nathanial, "undated". "Global linkages among energy, food and water: an economic assessment," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H047781, International Water Management Institute.
    12. Junfei Chen & Xiaoya Yu & Lei Qiu & Menghua Deng & Ran Dong, 2018. "Study on Vulnerability and Coordination of Water-Energy-Food System in Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-25, October.
    13. Cai, Jialiang & Yin, He & Varis, Olli, 2016. "Impacts of industrial transition on water use intensity and energy-related carbon intensity in China: A spatio-temporal analysis during 2003–2012," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1112-1122.
    14. Liu, Xiao-dong & Gao, Jie, 2011. "Discussion on the Index System of Intensive Land Use Evaluation in Development Area," Asian Agricultural Research, USA-China Science and Culture Media Corporation, vol. 3(02), pages 1-7, February.
    15. Claudia Ringler & Dirk Willenbockel & Nicostrato Perez & Mark Rosegrant & Tingju Zhu & Nathanial Matthews, 2016. "Global linkages among energy, food and water: an economic assessment," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 6(1), pages 161-171, March.
    16. Kaddoura, Saeed & El Khatib, Sameh, 2017. "Review of water-energy-food Nexus tools to improve the Nexus modelling approach for integrated policy making," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 114-121.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cássia Juliana Fernandes Torres & Camilla Hellen Peixoto de Lima & Bárbara Suzart de Almeida Goodwin & Terencio Rebello de Aguiar Junior & Andrea Sousa Fontes & Daniel Veras Ribeiro & Rodrigo Saldanha, 2019. "A Literature Review to Propose a Systematic Procedure to Develop “Nexus Thinking” Considering the Water–Energy–Food Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-32, December.
    2. White, David J. & Hubacek, Klaus & Feng, Kuishuang & Sun, Laixiang & Meng, Bo, 2018. "The Water-Energy-Food Nexus in East Asia: A tele-connected value chain analysis using inter-regional input-output analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 550-567.
    3. Märker, Carolin & Venghaus, Sandra & Hake, Jürgen-Friedrich, 2018. "Integrated governance for the food–energy–water nexus – The scope of action for institutional change," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 290-300.
    4. Pritee Sharma & Salla Nithyanth Kumar, 2020. "The global governance of water, energy, and food nexus: allocation and access for competing demands," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 377-391, June.
    5. Zhang, Tong & Tan, Qian & Yu, Xiaoning & Zhang, Shan, 2020. "Synergy assessment and optimization for water-energy-food nexus: Modeling and application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Francesco Fuso Nerini & Julia Tomei & Long Seng To & Iwona Bisaga & Priti Parikh & Mairi Black & Aiduan Borrion & Catalina Spataru & Vanesa Castán Broto & Gabrial Anandarajah & Ben Milligan & Yacob Mu, 2018. "Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 10-15, January.
    7. Ding, Tao & Liang, Liang & Zhou, Kaile & Yang, Min & Wei, Yuqi, 2020. "Water-energy nexus: The origin, development and prospect," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 419(C).
    8. Caiado Couto, Lilia & Campos, Luiza C. & da Fonseca-Zang, Warde & Zang, Joachim & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2021. "Water, waste, energy and food nexus in Brazil: Identifying a resource interlinkage research agenda through a systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    9. Pritee Sharma & Salla Nithyanth Kumar, 0. "The global governance of water, energy, and food nexus: allocation and access for competing demands," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-15.
    10. Wang, Xue-Chao & Jiang, Peng & Yang, Lan & Fan, Yee Van & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Wang, Yutao, 2021. "Extended water-energy nexus contribution to environmentally-related sustainable development goals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    11. Dirk Willenbockel & Claudia Ringler & Nikos Perez & Mark Rosegrant & Tingiu Zhu & Nathanial Matthews, 2016. "Climate Policy and the Energy-Water-Food Nexus: A Model Linkage Approach," EcoMod2016 9746, EcoMod.
    12. Zolfaghari, Mehdi & Jariani, Farzaneh, 2020. "Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Middle East and North African Countries (MENA)," MPRA Paper 104583, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Yaya Feng & Fanglei Zhong & Chunlin Huang & Juan Gu & Yingchun Ge & Xiaoyu Song, 2020. "Spatiotemporal Distribution and the Driving Force of the Food-Energy-Water Nexus Index in Zhangye, Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
    14. Hubert Hirwa & Qiuying Zhang & Yunfeng Qiao & Yu Peng & Peifang Leng & Chao Tian & Sayidjakhon Khasanov & Fadong Li & Alphonse Kayiranga & Fabien Muhirwa & Auguste Cesar Itangishaka & Gabriel Habiyare, 2021. "Insights on Water and Climate Change in the Greater Horn of Africa: Connecting Virtual Water and Water-Energy-Food-Biodiversity-Health Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, June.
    15. Ghosh, Bikramaditya & Gubareva, Mariya & Ghosh, Anandita & Paparas, Dimitrios & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2024. "Food, energy, and water nexus: A study on interconnectedness and trade-offs," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    16. Maria Maddalena Tortorella & Senatro Di Leo & Carmelina Cosmi & Patrícia Fortes & Mauro Viccaro & Mario Cozzi & Filomena Pietrapertosa & Monica Salvia & Severino Romano, 2020. "A Methodological Integrated Approach to Analyse Climate Change Effects in Agri-Food Sector: The TIMES Water-Energy-Food Module," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-21, October.
    17. Mario Giampietro, 2018. "Perception and Representation of the Resource Nexus at the Interface between Society and the Natural Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    18. Lazaro, Lira Luz Benites & Giatti, Leandro Luiz & Bermann, Celio & Giarolla, Angelica & Ometto, Jean, 2021. "Policy and governance dynamics in the water-energy-food-land nexus of biofuels: Proposing a qualitative analysis model," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    19. Lucia de Strasser, 2017. "Calling for Nexus Thinking in Africa’s Energy Planning," ESP: Energy Scenarios and Policy 263161, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    20. Martinez-Hernandez, Elias & Leach, Matthew & Yang, Aidong, 2017. "Understanding water-energy-food and ecosystem interactions using the nexus simulation tool NexSym," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1009-1021.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1326-:d:488035. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.