Abstract
Water scarcity is a pressing global issue exacerbated by population growth, urbanization, and climate change. As the global population grows and economies develop, energy demand is projected to increase significantly. Meeting this demand while reducing carbon emissions requires a shift towards renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, which may strain water resources and create trade-offs within the water-energy-carbon nexus (WECN). Reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change is a critical goal. However, the construction and operation of low-carbon energy infrastructure, such as hydropower dams and solar farms, can have ecological and water-related impacts, especially in sensitive ecosystems. investigate the interdependencies and trade-offs between water, energy, and carbon resources to understand how changes in one resource affect the others. The results show WECN hotspots, including regions and sectors with critical nexus challenges. Development of innovative integrated strategies for optimizing resource use and reducing carbon emissions and quantification of socio-economic benefits, including potential job creation, energy cost savings, and emissions reduction.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Human Impacts and Responsibility
KEYWORDS
Carbon Emissions, System Dynamics, WEAP-LEAP, WEC Nexus
