Trade-offs between water needs for food, utilities, and the environment—a nexus quantification at different scales

With a growing population and changing climate, competition for water resources in the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is expected to increase. In this study, competing demands between food production, freshwater ecosystems utilities (energy, industries households) are quantified. The potential trade-offs related impacts elaborated different SSP scenarios with integrated assessment model IMAGE, which includes global vegetation hydrology Lund-Potsdam-Jena managed Land (LPJmL). Results 2045–2054 period evaluated at scale selection of 14 hotspot basins coastal zones. On scale, we estimate that an additional 1.7 billion people could potentially face severe shortage electricity, households if production environmental flows would be prioritized. Zooming on hotspots, translates up 70% local population. furthermore show 33% river length hotspots risks not meeting targets when prioritizing other nexus. For 41% might lost due demands. quantified study highlight WEF nexus, most notably felt scales. This emphasizes need simultaneously consider dimensions developing aim achieve multiple sustainability targets.