Policy makers are increasingly focused on the water scarcity dilemma and the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is gaining momentum. Indeed, the Arab region and particularly the Gulf countries are facing a rapid increase in the energy and water consumption due to the harsh climate conditions, high population growth and increase in industrial and agriculture activities. Due to the lack of surface water, water sources in these regions, are either underground fossil water reserves or desalinated sea water. Fossil reserves are depleting rapidly because of the overexploitation and desalination technologies (mainly thermal desalination) are associated with large emissions of CO2. Significant amounts of water are used for extracting and transforming energy as well as in agriculture for food production. Similarly, energy is used for extracting, collecting, pumping, transporting, treating and desalinating water. This interdependence implies that the management of energy, water and food production should be addressed simultaneously, to increase energy efficiency in the water and agriculture sectors and reduce the water footprint in the energy and agriculture sectors.
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