Assessment of knowledge gaps in implementing Water-Energy-Climate Nexus in the Mekong Basin

The Mekong Basin faces significant challenges in integrated management of the water-energy nexus amidst the growing pressures of climate change. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth are escalating the demand for energy and water for both food production and industrial use. Hydropower development, a key energy source in the region, further complicates water flow and threatens ecosystem health. Climate change impacts, including erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and flooding, exacerbate the stability of both water and energy systems. While research on the Water-Food-Energy (WFE) nexus has expanded in the past decade to better understand the interconnections across sectors and borders, the academic discourse surrounding the Water-Energy-Climate (WEC) nexus remains limited. This study assesses the knowledge gaps in implementing the WEC nexus in the Mekong Basin through a systematic review. A total of 3,399 manuscripts were identified from databases such as PubMed, IEEE, IWA Publishing, SpringerLink, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect, published between 2012 and 2024. Out of these, 60 manuscripts were included in the analysis, along with two relevant reports from the Mekong River Commission. The analysis reveals a steady increase in publications, with the highest number in 2021, indicating growing scholarly interest in the interlinkages between water, energy, and climate systems. The study identifies key knowledge gaps, including governance-related, technological and engineering challenges, ecosystem and nature-based solutions, and issues related to Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). A major finding is the lack of coordinated and integrated planning across the Mekong countries, which hinders effective management of the WEC nexus. Insufficient technologies to support fish migration and maintain environmental flows threaten downstream ecosystems vital to local communities. Moreover, addressing climate change while optimizing water and energy use requires deeper exploration of comprehensive solutions. Socio-cultural norms also limit women’s participation in leadership and technical roles within water, energy, and climate management. Without applying a gender-inclusive approach, nexus governance risks deepening existing inequalities. The study concludes that addressing these gaps necessitates enhanced regional collaboration, improved governance and integrated policy frameworks, strengthened capacity-building efforts, better data-sharing mechanisms, advanced WEC modeling capabilities, and a more holistic approach to policy-making aligned with the sustainable development goals of the Mekong countries.