9 December 2012: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Global Water Forum (GWF) has released a discussion paper, titled “Water Security at the Energy Crossroads.” The paper, written by Edward Byers of Newcastle University, examines the possibility of decoupling water and energy demand.

Highlighting that increasing water demand increases demand for often non-renewable energy, the paper draws attention to energy use for pumping, transport and treatment of water. Conversely also the paper emphasizes the evaporative losses of water used to cool thermoelectric power stations, underscoring increased water use by the energy sector. The paper calls for addressing the water-energy-food nexus in an integrated manner, saying it is a win-win-win opportunity. [Publication: Water Security at the Energy Crossroads]