Securing Water, Energy, Food & Ecosystems in the Júcar River Basin District, Spain

Key Learnings

• Science as a Compass: A dedicated data observatory supports informed decision-making by collecting and analysing environmental information. Integrating tools like the water footprint methodology into Water Plans sets new standards for evidence-based climate strategies.
• Collaboration as a Catalyst: Diverse stakeholders, like farmers, authorities, and researchers, collaboratively developed practical solutions while considering local circumstances and ensuring long-term commitment. Training young leaders and assuring locally developed solutions align with regional, national and global targets ensures knowledge transfer, provides the tools to overcome global challenges, and facilitates solution replication.
• From vision to action: Moving from “Nexus thinking” to “Nexus action” allowed turning ideas into tangible and replicable solutions. Interdisciplinary collaboration and community empowerment led to successful transformations. Involving locals in the search for adaptation solutions strengthened trust and ensured regional implementation.

Summary

In Spain’s Júcar River Basin, a collaborative initiative applied the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach to tackle climate threats like drought, flooding, and water scarcity. Combining scientific approaches, such as water footprint analysis, remote sensing, and participatory system dynamics modelling, with stakeholder engagement enabled informed, inclusive decision-making and locally tailored adaptation solutions. 

Key outcomes included improved water accounting while integrating innovative methods into the regional Water Plan, and boosted greater trust among farmers, policymakers, and researchers. Innovative irrigation systems improve water use efficiency and reduce the energy needed for pumping and distribution. 

Combining these systems with renewable energy technologies reduces fossil fuel dependence and enables more efficient local energy production as well as the integration of renewables into farm operations. This supports sustainable energy generation and more stable energy use patterns in agriculture. Alternative energy use emphasises the shift towards renewables, which efficient water use underpins by aligning water and energy needs, smoothing demand peaks and allowing for tailored adoption of energy solutions suited to local climate and resources. This transition from “Nexus thinking” to “Nexus action” positioned the basin as a replicable model for climate-resilient, sustainable resource governance.

Contact

Esteban Henao – esteban [dot] henaoagrisat [dot] es (esteban[dot]henao[at]agrisat[dot]es)

Anna Osann Alexandros [dot] kandarakisgwpmed [dot] org (Alexandros[dot]kandarakis[at]gwpmed[dot]org)anna [dot] osanngmail [dot] com (anna[dot]osann[at]gmail[dot]com)

Jose Gonzalez Piqueras – jose [dot] gonzalezuclm [dot] es (jose[dot]gonzalez[at]uclm[dot]es)

Alexandros Kandarakis, GWP-Med Head of Communications –Alexandros [dot] kandarakisgwpmed [dot] org (Alexandros[dot]kandarakis[at]gwpmed[dot]org)