The energy system has important links with the water and
food systems — a fact reflected in the prominence of the
'water‑energy‑food' nexus in current policy debate, for example
the Bonn Nexus Process (Federal Government of Germany, 2013).
Europe's largely carbon-based energy system accounts for 37 % of
water abstraction in Europe (EEA, 2010h), which is more than any
other sector. Although much of the water used in energy generation is
returned to local water systems, it can impact ecosystems because of
the higher temperature or the rate at which it is released.