EWBE001

Energy and Water in the

Build Environment

MODULE #1
NEXUS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Classwork Assignment #1 Module #1 pp. 2 - 7

SHANE KARL ANGELO P. PACARDO

THIRD YEAR

BS CIVIL ENGINEERING
MODULE 1: NEXUS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Classwork Assignment # 1 Module 1

NEXUS APPROACH, BISCAST NEXUS, AND INTEGRATED RESEARCH MANAGEMENT

1. What is Nexus Approach?

The Nexus Approach emphasizes the interdependence of the natural

resources—water, soil, and land—that support food, energy, and water
security. Nexus identifies solutions that are mutually beneficial and built on an
understanding of the interrelationships between water, energy, and
agricultural policies. It also provides an informed and transparent framework
for determining the proper trade-offs and synergies that maintain the
integrity and sustainability of ecosystems.

The Nexus Approach uses context-specific solutions based on different

levels of interventions to achieve long-term economic, environmental and
social goals. Bringing the Nexus debate from the academic sphere into
development practice faces significant barriers, including challenges to cross-
sectoral collaboration and the complexity and incompatibility of current
institutional structures. However, greater recognition of sectoral
interdependence can help to overcome these barriers.
The Water, Energy and Food Nexus represents a paradigm shift in the
international development agenda, from sectoral development interventions
to integrated resource use in a green economy.

MODULE #1 EWBE001
ENERGY AND WATER IN THE
NUMBER 1 BUILD ENVIRONMENT
2. What is Nexus Approach in BISCAST?

The Integrated Resource Management at BISCAST, commonly known in

the College as Nexus, held its closing meeting last 4 July 2019. The almost five-
year project was an offshoot of the international cooperation with Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ – Nexus) under the
Urban Nexus Project. BISCAST received advisory services from the GIZ –
Nexus to strengthen its capacity relative to integrated resource management.
It focused on approaches and interlinkages in the areas of sanitation, energy
efficiency, environment, and affordable and resilient housing. During its
implementation, a Nexus Task Force was established to develop a plan
focusing on six major areas: sustainable site development plan, eco-friendly,
capacity building, integration of sustainable design in the curriculum, energy
management, and climate change resilient pilot house. This helped BISCAST
operate through a unified process, making it resource-efficient, effectively
supporting cities, municipalities and institutions through training, research
and development applications, dissemination, demonstrations, and
technology transfer.

MODULE #1 EWBE001
ENERGY AND WATER IN THE
NUMBER 1 BUILD ENVIRONMENT
3. What is Integrated Research Management?

Integrated research is about achieving holistic understanding of complex

biophysical and social issues and problems. It is driven by the need to
improve under- standing about such systems and to improve resource
management by using the results of integrated research processes.

The planning and decision-making process known as integrated resource

management makes an effort to take into account the various concerns and
issues pertaining to the wildlife, parks, forestry, and minerals sectors that
have an impact on Crown lands. Following their consideration, an operating
plan is created. This plan makes an effort to strike a balance between the
various issues at hand and provincial regulations in order to maximize long-
term sustainable advantages and reduce conflicts between usage.

MODULE #1 EWBE001
ENERGY AND WATER IN THE
NUMBER 1 BUILD ENVIRONMENT
4. Sustainable Development

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the

present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs."

Using recycled materials or renewable resources when building is an

example of sustainable development. Building a new community in a
previously undeveloped area without destroying the ecosystem or harming
the environment is an example of sustainable development.
However, it actually refers to four distinct areas: human, social, economic
and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability. Although there
are many ways to interpret the idea of sustainable development, at its core it
refers to a method of growth that seeks to strike a balance between various,
frequently incompatible needs and an awareness of the social, economic, and
environmental constraints that our society is subject to.

MODULE #1 EWBE001
ENERGY AND WATER IN THE
NUMBER 1 BUILD ENVIRONMENT
5. Sustainable Design

Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment,

and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building
performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce
consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create
healthy, productive environments.

Sustainable design principles include the ability to:

optimize site potential;
minimize non-renewable energy consumption;
use environmentally preferable products;
protect and conserve water;
enhance indoor environmental quality; and
optimize operational and maintenance practices.

MODULE #1 EWBE001
ENERGY AND WATER IN THE
NUMBER 1 BUILD ENVIRONMENT
6. Green Assessments and Audit

A green audit is a methodical process for identifying, quantifying, logging,

reporting, and analyzing different businesses' environmental diversity
components. It strives to examine environmental policies both within and
outside the concerned places, as these policies would affect the environment-
friendly ambiance.

Green assessments and audit can be a useful tool for a college to determine
how and where they are using the most energy or water or resources; the
college can then consider how to implement changes and make savings. It
can also be used to determine the type and volume of waste, which can be
used for a recycling project or to improve waste minimization plan. It can
create health consciousness and promote environmental awareness, values
and ethics. It provides staff and students better understanding of Green
impact on campus. If self enquiry is a natural and necessary outgrowth of a
quality education, it could also be stated that institutional self enquiry is a
natural and necessary outgrowth of a quality educational institution. Thus it is
imperative that the college evaluate its own contributions toward a
sustainable future. As environmental sustainability is becoming an
increasingly important issue for the nation, the role of higher educational
institutions in relation to environmental sustainability is more prevalent.

MODULE #1 EWBE001
ENERGY AND WATER IN THE
NUMBER 1 BUILD ENVIRONMENT