Climate-sensitive solutions for the energy–food–water nexus: Policy and technology integration

The energy–food–water nexus is a critical area of research as it lies at the intersection of three essential resources that are increasingly under strain due to climate change. The current challenge is to align climate-sensitive technologies with integrated policy frameworks that can enhance resource efficiency and sustainability. Recent studies have shown how decentralized renewable energy systems, precision agriculture, and water-efficient irrigation can address resource scarcities. Yet, the current technological integration remains piecemeal and often fails to address the holistic challenges of the nexus. There is an ongoing debate on how to mainstream these technologies within existing policy structures to ensure equitable and scalable solutions, especially within vulnerable and resource-constrained settings.

This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and institutional-political frameworks, addressing key questions on how national policies can be remodeled to support innovative climate-sensitive solutions. By reimagining national policies, we seek to explore how a coherent governance framework can catalyze the seamless adoption of these technologies, aiding in energy access, food security, and water sustainability. The overarching goal is to derive actionable insights on how policy silos can be addressed and integrated for a smooth transition to climate adaptation.

To gather further insights in the alignment of climate technology and policy frameworks within the energy–food–water nexus, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Decentralized renewable energy systems and policy integration
- Precision agriculture and equitable energy-food policies
- Water-efficient irrigation within climate policy frameworks
- Digital resource management and intersectoral governance
- Equity and scalability of climate-sensitive solutions in resource-constrained settings

We invite a broad array of articles including original research, reviews, case studies, and policy analysis to contribute to this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Climate-sensitive technologies, energy–food–water nexus, policy integration, sustainable governance, resource efficiency, equitable solutions

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.