Panel Discussion “Nexus between Water and

EnergyK. Yumkella, Director General,

UNIDO18 June, 2013

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The Nexus between Water and Energy

“Energy production consumes significant amounts of water;

providing water, in turn, consumes energy. In a world where water scarcity is a major and growing

challenge, meeting future energy needs depends on

water availability –and meeting water needs depends on wise

energy policy decisions.” (World Policy Institute and EBG Capital, March 2011)

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Energy needs water Energy production depends on water some 580 billion

cubic metres of freshwater are withdrawn for energy production every year (IEA, 2012)

Water is used for primary energy production as well as power generation esp. for cooling at thermal power plants

Extraction, transport and processing of fuels and irrigation to grow biomass feed-stock are also water-intensive

Key uses of water for primary production (IEA, 2012)

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Water needs energy Energy is vital to providing freshwater needed to power

systems that collect, transport, distribute and treat water.

(US Department of Energy, 2006)

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Energy-Water-Nexus in Numbers

(IEA, World Energy Outlook, 2012)

Overview of water requirements for different energy sources.

Primary production Power generation

Population growth and urbanisatio

n

Source: WEO, 2012 (Table 1.3)

People without access to electricity

(2010)

Data source: IEA WEO 2012 Table 18.1, p532

Decision-making at the Nexus: The Key Challenge for post-2015 Development

Framework and SDGs

Energy decisions have a broad range of impacts on water, with consequences for business, security, environment, social equity and development.

  Identifying these interrelationships presents opportunities for policy

makers, business leaders, investors, non-governmental organizations for informed policy and governance to address related problems and global challenges (e.g. climate change, food and energy security or eliminating poverty).

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Vienna Energy Forum : The Energy Future We Want - Considering Water & Food in the Energy Debate (side event)UNIDO, in collaboration with international partners, including IIASA, GIZ, BMZ, SE4ALL, OPEC and the Vienna Energy Club, organized a side event on the water-energy-food nexus during the Vienna Energy Forum. Policy-makers and representatives from the private sector and academia debated the intricate link between water, energy and food, and explore the opportunities presented by this link to address major global development challenges:

 • Intersectoral dialogue is required to address security concerns in the water-

energy-food nexus;

• Integrated approach to water-energy-food nexus will lower the cost of achieving global energy goals (i.e. SE4All goals);

 • While the need to consider water-energy-food in the nexus is broadly

acknowledged, the tools and expertise are not fully available to support political dialogue;

 • Integrated resource planning tools and analysis are required to address

complexity. 

• Thinking in a water, energy and food security nexus perspective is central to the Green Industry and the consideration of SDGs.

 

 

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UNIDO Activities in Water Energy Nexus

UNIDO-IIASA Study on Water-Energy Nexus:

• Defining critical linkages between water and energy

• Exploring opportunities for informed policy and governance

• Examining the potential to pursue the Nexus in the SE4ALL Agenda

• Exploring options for capacity development and knowledge-sharing

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Future outlook & policy implications

Water withdrawal by the energy sector is expected to rise by one-fifth through 2035, while the amount consumed (not returned directly to the environment) by a more dramatic 85% (IEA, 2012)

While nations evaluate their energy options and develop their policies, appropriate incentives will need to be employed to encourage technologies that promote sustainable energy production – from a cost, carbon, security and water perspective.

Given the location-specific nature of water resources, the nexus must be considered at the water basin level, or even at particular sites. Stakeholders will need to know how to manage the trade-offs between water and energy at the local, national, and cross-border levels.

THE GREEN INDUSTRY INITIATIVE

Greening of IndustriesHelping enterprises improve resource

productivity and environmental performance

Creating New Green Industries

Establishing new operations delivering environmental goods and services

Efficient use of materials, energy and water

Reduction of wastes and emissions Safe and responsible management

of chemicals, renewable raw materials

Phasing out toxic substances Substituting fossil fuels with

renewable energy sources Product and process redesign,

Green Chemistry

Reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) industries

Pollution control technology and equipment

Renewable and energy-efficient technologies

Waste management and resource recovery

Environmental advisory and analytical services

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

BENEFITS OF GREEN INDUSTRY

EconomicMore Innovation and Growth;

Increased Resilience…

SocialMore Employment, Rising

Incomes and Empowerment…

EnvironmentalMore Efficient Resource Use;

Less Waste and Pollution…

Increase resource productivity

Bring down production costs Foster technology

development and innovation Improve competitiveness Open up new markets Develop new businesses

Create new jobs and make existing jobs more secure

Reduce poverty Develop new skills and

capacity Improve occupational health

and safety conditions Safeguard health and safety

of communities Lower risks to consumers

Reduce environmental pollution

Counteract resource depletion

Prevent degradation of ecosystems

Mitigate climate change Combat water scarcity

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

• High-level, multi-stakeholder, transformative partnership framework

• Reduces the negative environmental impact of manufacturing

• Increases social and economic benefits

• Only comprehensive, targeted and practical sector-based strategy

• Members include businesses, governments, international and civil society organizations

GREEN INDUSTRY PLATFORM LAUNCHED

AT RIO+20

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

Resource Efficiency Water Optimization

Industrial Energy Efficiency

Chemicals Management

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

PRIORITY AREAS

MEMBERS COMMIT TO… Improving Resource Efficiency

Strengthening Waste Management Reducing and Eliminating Toxic Materials

Pursuing Energy Efficiency and Using Renewable Energy Adopting a Lifetime Approach to Product Manufacture

Making Finance Available to Green Industry Promoting Technology Transfer and Sharing Best Practices

Greening Global Value Chains Supporting Green Industry Research and Innovation

Fostering Green Industries and Jobs Setting Green Industry Targets

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

MEMBERSHIP STATUS

• Expressions of interest from over 70 more entities• Second wave of targeted invitations upcoming

(Top performers in sustainability, academic and research institutions and charitable foundations)

As of 23/05/2013

25 Governments 70 Businesses

51 Int’l, Business, Civil Society Organizations

{Platform Members

146

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

WWW.GREENINDUSTRYPLATFORM.ORG

Thank you for your attention