Abstract
This article presents a study of the evolution of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus since its rise to prominence in policy and development discourses in 2011. Drawing from an extensive review of published literature, the article presents various interpretations of the concept while also considering the novelty of the WEF nexus. Various criticisms levelled at the WEF nexus, such as the neglect of livelihoods and the environment in assessments, are noted, together with governance considerations associated with this framework. Finally, the potential of the WEF nexus to contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals is reviewed. In terms of possible weaknesses associated with the WEF nexus, a concern identified in the literature is that livelihoods, social justice and the environment are often omitted from these assessments. So far, WEF nexus studies have focused on global macro-scale resources security. This was not the intention when the concept was first promoted. For this framework to gain traction, particularly in light of the sustainable development goals, it must be utilized to achieve adequate resource security for all groups. It must simultaneously acknowledge and protect the environment as the irreplaceable foundation of the nexus. The challenge of integrating and optimizing the components of this multi-centric nexus is examined, with six international case studies and seven national case studies being presented and discussed.