Smart Net-Zero

March 16, 2026 | CGIAR |

At the 2026 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, CGIAR experts highlighted the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) nexus as the essential framework for sustainable irrigation. As individual farmers drive a global irrigation boom, the initiative warns that ignoring environmental trade-offs risks groundwater depletion and inequity. Key developments include Pakistan’s new Solar Suitability Mapping tools to manage groundwater vulnerability, Mali’s programs leveraging untapped groundwater for female-led nutrition gardens, and Haiti’s use of agroforestry to maintain irrigation resilience. These examples transition nexus thinking from theory to action through practical decision-support tools and community-based governance. These findings emphasize that achieving net-zero goals requires aligning renewable energy adoption with strict water conservation and ecosystem protection. Future efforts will focus on scaling these integrated tools to balance agricultural productivity with long-term climate sustainability.