Leveraging the Integrative Water-Energy-Food Nexus Model (iWEF) in data-scarce areas: Practical application at the local level

A key constraint to operationalising the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus is the limited availability of organised, curated, standardised, accessible, compatible, and interoperable data. This has slowed the transition of the WEF nexus from an abstract conceptual framework to a practical analytical decision-support tool for integrated resource management. This study applied the Integrative WEF Nexus Analytical Model (iWEF) to assess resource availability, distribution, use, and management in Sakhisizwe Local Municipality, a data-scarce local area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining key informant interviews, stakeholder engagement, systematic literature review, and earth observation techniques. The iWEF tool processed the collected information and generated an integrated spatial dashboard to support understanding of resource-management conditions and identify priority interventions. The model produced a composite WEF nexus index of 0.185, with a deformed spider graph indicating a marginally sustainable resource-management outlook. The analysis clarified socio-ecological interconnections, identified key intervention areas, and established quantitative relationships among related elements at the local level using the best available data. These findings informed strategic policy considerations and practical guidelines for improving the livelihoods of resource-poor rural communities. The approach demonstrates how flexible, context-driven, and participatory methods can support the application of nexus models in data-scarce settings, shifting from data-intensive modelling towards adaptable tools for local decision-making.