Integration of Core Sustainable Development Goals in Rural Areas: Current Practices of Water, Energy, Food, Climate Change, and Ecosystems

This book addresses the application of the water, energy and food nexus in the MENA Region. It highlights the technologies and solutions to support the sustainable development of rural areas in the region. The first part provides an introduction and an overview of water, energy food, climate change, and ecosystem interactions within the framework of sustainable development goals. The editors present a brief overview and highlights of the book themes and chapters. The second part discusses current State and Security of the WEF Nexus in the MENA Region, addresses the role of water, energy and food nexus in sustainable development through reviewing case studies in the MENA Region that have followed an integrated nexus approach.  The third part focuses on the integration within the Nexus for Rural Development, includes three chapters. It discusses analysis and assessment of the nexus through a quantitative index approach to consider the efficiency and security of resources; addresses territorial climate planning in water-scarce areas, focusing on the Souss Massa Region in Morocco; and discusses the Algerian food system and future scenarios through the lens of food and water challenges. The fourth part addresses the WEF Nexus and sustainable development solutions and technologies; exploration of an adaptation model for food security and water resources, water-agricultural management practices; standardized hydraulic incident index to analyze hydraulic incidents and their impact on energy; integrated management of natural resources in Egypt through the WEF nexus approach; and ICT tools as a facilitator for collaborative governance of water resources in Mediterranean agriculture. The fifth chapter focuses on sediment management in the context of climate change for the Fertile Crescent and Southwest Asia, and the Nile River. It also addresses haloculture as a climate change adaptation and mitigation solution, that supports food security. Finally, the book presents key updates, conclusions and recommendations from the book chapters. The book is useful to researchers, professionals, practitioners, post-graduates and undergraduates who are interested in the field of sustainable development and water, energy and food interaction.