Comprehensive decision-making framework for the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus

The GoNEXUS project is developing a comprehensive decision-making framework to support the efficient and sustainable governance of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus.

In response to increasing pressure on natural resources and the need for climate resilience, GoNEXUS integrates policy innovation, strategies, and technical measures to design coordinated, long-term solutions.

Central to the project is the development of a powerful modelling toolbox that links leading global and continental models across sectors—such as CAPRI for agriculture, LISFLOOD-EPIC and PCR-GLOBWB for water systems, PRIMES and PROMETHEUS for energy, GLOBIO for environmental analysis, and GEM-E3 for macroeconomics—alongside detailed river basin-level models that incorporate behavioural and hydrological dynamics.

Ricardo's energy and economic modelling experts play a central role in leading the interconnection of global and continental-scale models, ensuring consistency and integration across sectors and scales. Through targeted research, Ricardo's experts enhance the interoperability of their models (PRIMES, PROMETHEUS, and GEM-E3) within the wider modelling framework. This interlinking supports deeper, more holistic analysis of trade-offs and synergies in nexus governance and contributes to scenario development and policy impact assessments.

Beyond technical modelling, GoNEXUS integrates participatory Nexus Dialogues that bring together stakeholders to co-design scenarios, models, and governance solutions. This inclusive approach improves the realism and relevance of outcomes while enabling knowledge exchange and reducing institutional fragmentation. The project also supports the alignment of existing EU WEFE-related policies and reinforces the EU’s leadership in global water diplomacy.