New Publication: MedECC report on climate change in the Mediterranean

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The MedECC special report, "Interlinking climate change with the Water – Energy – Food – Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus in the Mediterranean Basin" has been published. This publication explores the complex interplay of the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Basin, addressing critical challenges amplified by climate change. The report highlights the growing insecurities in water, energy, food, and ecosystems faced by the Mediterranean region and how nexus approaches can help identify solutions.

Prof. Marianela Fader and Dr. Andrea Reimuth contributed as Lead and Contributing Authors to the Chapter “Contributions of the WEFE Nexus to Sustainability”, focusing on the diverse methodologies employed to investigate nexus questions.

By analyzing current scientific literature, Fader and Reimuth identified four key categories of methodological approaches used in nexus research:

1. Transdisciplinary methodologies mainly draw from collaboration between scientist and governments or agencies or stakeholders. For example, discussing with stakeholders results from econometric calculations. These methods are valuable for their participative character but are less suited for predictive, future-oriented research.
2. Data-based methodologies, such as cost-benefit or material flow analysis, measure mainly resource use. These methods are effective in identifying (in-)efficiencies and opportunities to enhance resource management.
3. Modeling-based methodologies allow to make projections for the future: They help to design policies and assess trade-offs between resource uses in advance. Examples include integrated assessment models, which evaluate interactions between nexus components and climate policies, and impact models (such as LPJmL used for simulations in our group), which assess the consequences of actions in one system on others, aiding in trade-off evaluations.

Nexus research is a relatively young and evolving field, with many methodologies still being developed and refined. While a wide range of approaches exists, no single method can address all nexus-related questions comprehensively. The interdisciplinary and multifaceted nature of nexus challenges requires researchers to thoughtfully select methodologies that align with their specific research goals and contexts.

Read the full report here

MedECC (Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change) is an open network of over 600 scientists from 35 countries dedicated to supporting decision-makers in the Mediterranean region with robust scientific insights. Their work spans natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, addressing the complex challenges posed by climate and environmental change. By bridging the gap between research and policy, MedECC ensures that scientific findings are accessible and actionable, fostering more effective and targeted policy development at local, national, and regional levels.