Water allocation decisions are made under complex conditions, particularly where multiple sectors compete for scarce resources for water, energy and food.

Improperly representing the tradeoffs inherent in this dynamic can lead to insufficient water allocation among these interests, further aggravated by uncertainties related to climate change and growing demand. Consequently, water managers need effective decision-making tools, such as watershed models coupled with energy, crop or economic models, to support robust and equitable use of water resources and avoid negative impacts on the environment and society.

SEI researchers will convene an AGU24 session highlighting these issues, “Enhancing water allocation outcomes: cross-sectoral modeling of water, energy, and food for improved policy coherence”. They are now collecting abstracts on this topic to showcase at this event.

This session welcomes contributions from researchers and practitioners on:

• Advances in coupled water allocation, energy systems and/or economic models,
• Evaluation of the water-energy-food nexus in water allocation strategies,
• Methods to quantify, evaluate and communicate cross-sectoral complexity,
• Best practices for integrating cross-sectoral modeling into decision-making processes, including stakeholder engagement, and
• Case studies demonstrating coupled watershed and/or energy modeling in different regions and contexts.

The time and date of this session have yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, aspiring participants may submit their abstracts until 5 August 2024.

SEI US researchers Marina Mautner, Brian Joyce and Charlotte Wagner are convening this session along with Bassel Daher of Texas A&M University.