Balancing across the nexus:
challenges to development within
planetary boundaries
Rachael McDonnell
DDG IWMI
OECD Financing Water Geneva 7-9th Feb

Systems at breaking points
The interconnected systems of land, soil and water
are stretched to the limit
Convergence of evidence points to agricultural
systems breaking within planetary boundaries

Adapting to the various forms of water scarcity to
achieve food (and water) security
Source: Rosa et al. (2020) Slide from Petra Schmitter

Global Agricultural Water Scarcity Assessment Incorporating Blue and Green Water Availability Under Future
Climate Change
Earth's Future, Volume: 10, Issue: 4, First
published: 25 April 2022, DOI:
(10.1029/2021EF002567)

Linking Expansion and Sustainability – solar FLID

Policies, perverse incentives and regulations need to
reflect the new realities