A new book released by Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), titled “Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Deserts”, has been accessed more than 194,000 times since its publication by Springer Nature, in May 2022.

The book is a compilation of select proceedings from QEERI’s flagship International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate (ICSEWEN19), inaugurated in December 2019. It was edited by Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director of QEERI, Dr. Essam Heggy, Chief Scientist, and Dr. Veronica Bermudez, Senior Research Director at QEERI’s Energy Center, and Chair of ICSEWEN19.

The 112 proceedings were selected based on their significant contribution to advancing knowledge of the complexity of the imbalanced EWE nexus in harsh desert climates. They also reflect the breadth of discussions at the successful conference. ICSEWEN19 was attended by over 500 researchers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders, with high-level scientific exchanges on operational-level solutions applicable on a national, regional, and international scale. 

Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director at QEERI, said: “We are delighted by the book’s wide appeal. It reflects our aim, through ICSEWEN, to bring together the international scientific community, industry, and stakeholders. Intensifying our collaborative efforts is proving urgent as we strive to remove barriers to implement the solutions and innovations necessary to achieve global environmental sustainability goals.”

Providing a comprehensive updated framework, the book’s three main chapters describe case studies and progress on water, energy, and environmental questions, with a fourth chapter on policies and community outreach. 

Dr. Veronica Bermudez, Senior Research Director at QEERI, added: “A pivotal conclusion from this important book is the need to optimize the EWE nexus in arid areas, on both a research and policy level. One means to accomplish this is by collectively doing more case studies that offer insights into the factors governing the nexus in these environments. These will help identify tangible and appropriate solutions for immediate implementation.”

Importantly, Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Deserts bridges the gap between research and industry, and highlights the research capabilities relevant to Qatar, the region, and internationally.

One of the book’s key conclusions is that the EWE nexus is a key element not only for the sustainability of arid areas, but also for their future socioeconomic and political stability. To address this as a priority, QEERI is committed to collaborative work with the wider scientific community, through initiatives such as ICSEWEN and other efforts that advance technology and innovative approaches.