Promovendus: Mw. N. Harvey

Promotores: Mw. Prof.Dr. H.F.M.W. van Rijswick, Mw. Prof. A.W.G.J. Buijze, J. Monstadt

Duur: 1/2/2021 - 31/1/2024

Abstract:

The world, and in particular the Global South, face a triple threat of water, energy and food insecurity exacerbated by resource mismanagement and poor governance practices. The water, energy and food security nexus (the WEF Nexus) has been identified as a promising potential framework for understanding synergies and trade-offs so as to improve the efficiency and effective governance of water, energy and food systems. Existing research on the WEF Nexus, however, has failed to consider the role that law and policy may play in promoting (or hindering) WEF Nexus implementation. Through an interdisciplinary legal and empirical study of the Cape Town Metropolitan Region, this research analyses the legal and policy aspects of the WEF Nexus by assessing the existing domestic legislative and policy framework and analysing the extent to which it facilitates or hinders WEF Nexus implementation in theory and in practice. Additionally, this research examines the multi-directional interaction between the different levels of government within the water, energy and food sectors such that recommendations for how to utilise or adapt law and policy to support WEF Nexus implementation are reflective of existing institutional mismatches and constraints existing across the different levels of state. In doing so, practically implementable recommendations tailored to the South African context are made, so as to guide policy makers and public servants on the role of law and policy in supporting the implementation of the WEF Nexus