Research Article

Redefining the Water-Food-Energy Nexus for Biofuels: How to Mitigate the COVID-19 Pandemic Effects in Canada

Fatih Sekercioglu
Ryerson University, Canada
* Corresponding author
Jiuqi Ma
Ryerson University, Canada
DOI icon 10.24018/ejgeo.2020.1.5.62

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Submitted 2020-09-05
Published 2020-09-16

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Article Main Content

Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, is a recognized Sustainable Development Goal. Yet the COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges to the provision of bioenergy in Canada. Our study aims to examine these challenges by applying the Water-Food-Energy (WEF) Nexus Approach and suggest an alternative policy framework in the post-COVID-19 recovery process. The paper analyzes the socio-economic and environmental impacts of COVID-19 and draws upon the bioenergy management strategies and policies in Canada, as well as other countries. The revised policy framework is built by considering the interactions across the WEF Nexus and adopting the experience from international examples, which could effectively minimize the shortcomings of the existing Canadian policy framework. Decision-makers may use our framework to overcome challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure smooth bioenergy development and provision amid this global crisis.

Keywords: Bioenergy, COVID-19, Policy, WEF Nexus Approach

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