A multi-perspective input-output model for the energy-water nexus in Kazakhstan

Both energy and water resources are the important foundation for sustainable development of society and economy; they influence and interact with each other, and their interaction is very complicated. Significant challenges remain in revealing the impacts of multifaceted supply chain activities and policies on energy-water nexus. This study develops a multi-perspective input-output model that integrates multi-perspective input-output analysis and factorial analysis for analyzing the energy-water nexus. This model can investigate the multifaceted delineation of sectoral responsibilities regarding energy-water flows and facilitate the generation of appropriate energy-water management policies from multiple perspectives. This model is then applied to Kazakhstan (water-scarce but energy-rich country in Central Asia), and major findings can be obtained: (i) the key sectors consuming energy and water are identified from multiple supply chain perspectives (i.e., intermediate products, final products, and transmission centers), which can facilitate generating multi-policy scenarios; (ii) Kazakhstan is a net importer of embodied energy and water flows, showing that its economic structure is conducive to alleviating the water shortage; (iii) for the sustainability of energy-water nexus, key sectors like “Vegetables, fruit, and nuts” should prioritize production-based policy, while sectors like “Mining”, “Heavy manufacturing” and “Service” should prioritize consumption-based policy. The findings disclose the interactive relationship of energy-water nexus in Kazakhstan as well as provide the scientific support for the joint management of water and energy.