Reconceptualizing macroeconomic dynamics of water-energy-land for nature positive development pathways

In recent years, research on the water-energy-land (WEL) nexus has grown significantly not least because of the highly interconnectedness of the respective domains, but also for the crucial nature-economy interactions that underpin the future of our planet. With climate change and biodiversity crises looping, our conventional siloed biophysical and economic models are no longer adequate at providing prudent guidance to the interrelated sustainability questions. A new approach is urgently needed to tackle the issues of nature and the economy. In this research, we are developing a global-scale dynamic system model of nature, macroeconomy and finance that gives guidance on the crucial policy questions on the WEL nexus and biodiversity dynamics. We provide a critique of the existing modeling approaches, our novel conceptualization for a multidimensional model - with crucial elements, interactions, and underlining theories - which provides insights into the underlying source of biodiversity loss and the trade-off between different economic activities to safeguard livelihoods and achieve the so-called ‘nature positive’ pathways.