The Water-Energy-Food (W-E-F) Nexus framework provides opportunities for integrating science, data, technology, applications and policies in innovative ways to optimize the overall benefits of these resource sectors for society. Integration is generally beneficial, but uncertainties related to the optimization of its implementation in different environments must be addressed. Factors such as scope, spatial scale, pace of implementation, data and model availability, the focus for the integration, and the acceptance by stakeholder and practitioner communities should be considered.

This session seeks to provide clarification of the options for integration through contributions that deal with integration among research, applications, models, policy initiatives, and decision support systems within the W-E-F Nexus. Examples of useful approaches could include effective use of leverage points in the Nexus, or the use of data, models, information, technology, and applications in facilitating integration, or the use of new paradigms (e.g., the green economy) in introducing integration concepts.