Launch of the Food, Energy, Environment and Water (FE²W) Network

A new network focused on achieving food, water and energy security was launched today at UNESCO Headquarters by the International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) and the Australian National University (ANU)-UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance.

The Food, Energy, Environment and Water (FE²W) Network is ‘bridging the silos’ across the fields of food, energy, environment and water, which are essential to human wellbeing and to environmental health, to improve living conditions worldwide.

About one-third of the world's population lives in countries that are experiencing water stress. Population growth will increase water demand, while global food demand by 2050 could increase by 50 % and total primary energy use by as much as 80 % or more. Both food and energy growth will require increased water use  

The Australian National University (ANU) - UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance  facilitates the  networking   between  leading researchers and practitioners from different disciplinary backgrounds evaluating  the risks and trade-offs across food and water, food and energy, and energy and water. 

Food, Energy, Environment and Water (FE²W) is a network of individuals from academia, the private and public sectors, and civil society, who wish to facilitate the dialogue between disciplines and sectors. The Network will facilitate sharing  data and information in order to fill gaps and effectively respond to the challenges, risks and opportunities of achieving food, water and energy security while sustaining the environment and enhancing livelihoods, today and into the future. The FE²W Network  will serve to  compile  main messages to  decision-makers. FE²W actions aim at improving how to manage systemic risks and shocks across these systems. FE²W Network is ‘bridging the silos’ across food, energy, environment and water, recognizing the interlinked uncertainties, and improving people’s lives.

Related links:

• Brochure (PDF)
• More information on the launch event
• FE²W Network website
• Contact: secretariat(at)fe2wnetwork.org