Water, food and energy nexus challenges

Increasing demand for food, fiber and fodder will put great strains on land, water, energy and other
resources. The expected increase in agricultural production will bear heavily on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Agricultural commodity markets may also change: the price spikes of 2008 and 2011 are a reminder of how sensitive agricultural commodity markets can be. This paper aims to provide a brief but comprehensive overview of the main challenges associated with increasing demand for agricultural
products – not only crops but also fodder and fiber – as a result of population growth and changing
consumption patterns. It presents all the projections for food, fiber and fodder under business as usual
scenarios.