Most recognised global challenges of modern times are related to
energy production and consumption. The trends of energy demand
for a growing world population and global urbanisation have raised
serious concerns, and they are often termed as ‘‘global challenges’’
that include climate change, pollution and demands of clean water,
food and energy. In thematic debate of the 2013 UN General Assembly
in New York on ‘‘Sustainable Development and Climate Change:
Practical Solutions in the Energy–Water Nexus’’ it was highlighted
that adequate attention should be given to the importance of
inter-linkages between water and energy sectors in framing the
post-2015 development agenda. In fact, the implications of energy
consumption in the modern world go beyond these boundaries.
Therefore we argue that there is a need for establishing a broader
nexus – ‘‘water–energy–pollution’’ – where implications of energy
production, related water consumption and environmental pollution
(air and water) are embedded. The notion of this integrated
nexus can play an important role in systemic appraisal of energy
production and consumption in growing urban environments.