Security vs efficiency of the water-energy-food nexus. A study of the economies of the regions of Spain

This article addresses the conflict between socio-economic efficiency versus security-related sustainability in the provision of limited natural resources. We use the framework of the water, energy and food nexus in a novel approach that allows us to identify strengths and weaknesses in the economic structure of the regions analysed. We use the economies of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain as a case study. We simultaneously use integrated indicators of security, based on the availability, sufficiency and sustainability of resources, and data envelopment analysis to assess socio-economic and environmental efficiency. The results show significant differences in the sustainability of the nexus, with values ranging from 62% in Madrid to 83% in Galicia, while socio-economic and environmental efficiency ranges from 1.16% in the Basque Country to 0.63% in Navarre. A growing trend is also detected in the gap between the most and least resource-efficient regions. The two-dimensional analysis of security versus efficiency, as well as the separation of the latter into efficiency change and technical change, makes it possible to detect weaknesses and classify the 17 autonomous communities into 4 groups according to their success in both dimensions. The conclusions offer possible lines of public policy for the improvement of regional economies based on this analysis.