Nexus CLEWs Mapping of the Amazon River Basin

Ardian C. Pratama

Background

The Earth's carbon dioxide concentration reached 419.3 ppm in 2023, marking an increase of 50% since it was recorded in 1958 [NOAA]. This phenomenon has a significant impact on climate systems. Balancing ecological and climate systems is the crucial role of the Amazon River Basin; however, it faces several challenges: water droughts, floods, pollution, land degradation, agricultural expansion, and oil-extraction activities [Davidson et al., 2012; Finer et al., 2008; The Liberal Amazon, 2024]. Moreover, over 60% of electricity in Brazil relies on hydropower, and 34% is located in the Legal Amazon [Riquetti et al., 2023]. The Nexus Assessment is provided to evaluate CLEWs interlinkages and promote sustainable resource management and policy coherence.

Reference Resource System

The Reference Resource System (RRS) was developed to identify system interactions and dependencies [Sabogal et al., 2016]. Three crucial issues regarding the RRS will be discussed in depth. Water is essential not only to meet domestic and drinking water demand but also to generate electricity and irrigate agricultural land. Meanwhile, land resources are contested by three needs: agriculture, forests, and support of electricity generation through water dams.

Regarding energy, oil resources are utilized to generate electricity and support agricultural activities. In addition, several activities tend to produce CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere, which affects the climate.

Main Findings

Over 60% of Brazil’s electricity comes from hydropower, with 34% of its capacity based in the Amazon basin. Hydropower expansion is driving significant demand for land and impacting forest sustainability, especially through dam construction and flooding.
Oil exploration and biofuel policy promote agricultural expansion and threaten both water and land resources, exacerbating pollution, ecosystem harm, and deforestation, especially in Peru and Ecuador.
Water access and use remain unequal, with Brazil’s population having the highest access among basin countries. Most water is used for agriculture, and rising biofuel demands will increase irrigation needs.
Deforestation and hydropower infrastructure are major contributors to CO2 emissions, water cycle disruption, and land degradation. Land-use change is the largest source of emissions in Brazil, mainly from agriculture expansion and dam-building.
Policies aimed at forest restoration, biofuel promotion, and energy development are often contradictory within and between countries. For example, hydropower growth conflicts with forest restoration, and biofuel expansion threatens forest recovery efforts.

Methods

Developed a Reference Resource System to map interactions and dependencies between water, energy, land, and climate in the Amazon basin using LucidChart and CLEWs modeling frameworks.
Provided quantitative analysis using national statistics on water, energy, population, emissions, and land use, and policy comparisons across Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.

Policy Recommendations

Amazon Basin countries should intensify collaboration to manage transboundary resources, expand protected areas, and strengthen indigenous land rights.
A shift toward nuclear energy and floating solar PV is recommended to reduce reliance on hydropower and lessen land use impacts. Floating solar farms offer dual benefits of energy production and water conservation.
Certification and traceability of deforestation-free agricultural products are necessary to protect forests while safeguarding exports.

Personal Contribution

Designed modeling charts and presentation slides illustrating the CLEWs framework and reference resource systems.
Provided quantitative insights and comparative policy analyses between Amazon Basin countries.

Conclusion

The CLEWs Nexus Framework helps illuminate the intertwined challenges and opportunities facing Amazon Basin sustainable development. Addressing water, energy, land, and climate interdependencies is essential for effective policy-making, requiring both international and local action to reduce deforestation, fossil fuel reliance, and hydropower-driven environmental costs, while scaling up innovative clean energy systems.

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