ABSTRACT
Resource nexus is a concept coined to describe complex interdependencies across the life cycle use of natural resources applied to deliver fundamental societal and economic functions, notably food, water and energy. The nexus approach becomes particularly relevant in situations of competing claims over natural resources for different applications. This chapter proposes that the nexus approach, decoupling and eco-innovation can be mutually reinforcing and relevant in both developed and developing countries'. It reviews the current literature and evidence on eco-innovation and decoupling, addresses issues of measurement, and gives an outlook on research and policy challenges of eco-innovation. The concept of eco-innovation catered for the resource nexus challenges needs broad analytical boundaries allowing to construct an explicit theory of change behind eco-innovation and its impact. Nexus eco-innovation has to differentiate and compare key resource interlinkages, and likely environmental pressures and impacts associated with alternative eco-innovative solutions.
