About the forum

The world’s energy, water and food systems are tightly linked. Water is needed for almost all forms of energy production; energy is needed to treat and transport water; and both water and energy are needed to grow food.

In the coming decades these vital resources will come under greater pressure. The world’s growing population and increased prosperity will push up global demand for energy, water and food supplies. The resulting planetary stresses are becoming known as the Energy-Water-Food Nexus.

New ways of working will be needed to solve these challenges as they cross boundaries between countries, industries and the public and private sectors. We will only progress solutions by working together.

Over the course of the day, the Powering Progress Together forum explored the challenges and opportunities across the Energy-Water-Food Nexus.

Our speakers shared insights on planetary stresses and the forces behind the Nexus, and some of the inspiring collaborations already making a difference. Event participants were encouraged to ask questions and share their views throughout the event using their mobile devices.

The forum featured three main sessions:

• Experts – A panel of speakers from institutions such as the World Economic Forum, Stockholm Resilience Centre and Wageningen University did set the scene by discussing the planetary stresses behind the Energy-Water-Food Nexus.
• Explorers – The panellists pitched their innovative solutions that could help to sustain a growing world population. Examples included smarter urban design and growing meat from stem cells.
• Executives – A panel consisting of senior business leaders from Unilever, Philips, Siemens and IBM explored ways to build a more resilient world economy. What are the opportunities? What new forms of collaboration are needed to drive action?

Rotterdam is the ideal place to bring people together to explore the complex nexus between energy, water and food. As a low-lying delta city and almost entirely destroyed during World War II, Rotterdam has overcome adversity and is now one of the world’s largest ports, a main trading and distribution centre for food and agricultural products, a refinery and petrochemicals centre, and a hub for water knowledge, urban farming and climate change expertise.

The forum was held during Shell Eco-marathon, where 3,000 students from across Europe competed in making vehicles go as far as possible on the least amount of energy. The event brought together over 30,000 visitors to the Ahoy Congress and Meeting Centre in Rotterdam, where they did tour The Lab and other displays.