Water–Energy–Food Nexus and Hydrosocial Conflicts in Peruvian Mining–Agriculture Basins: An Integrative Review with Water Footprint Evidence

Luis-Donato A.R.; Estrada-Ayre P.C.; Basualdo-Garcia P.E.; Enriquez-Ochoa A.; Porras-Sarmiento S.; Palacios-Mucha M.L.; Yaulilahua-Huacho R. · Water (Switzerland) (2026) · DOI: 10.3390/w18131532

Resumen

Water scarcity in Peru is increasingly shaped by competing sectoral demands, particularly between large-scale mining and agriculture. Both sectors rely heavily on limited freshwater resources in arid coastal and Andean basins, generating complex trade-offs between economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates current knowledge on water footprint (WF) dynamics within mining–agriculture systems, integrating hydrosocial theory, water–energy–food nexus thinking, and sustainability transition frameworks. Mining activities in Peru are characterized by high blue and grey water footprints, associated with intensive extraction processes and contamination risks, while agriculture exhibits diverse water footprints depending on crop type, irrigation efficiency, and climatic conditions. The interaction of these sectors creates hydrosocial conflicts driven by unequal water allocation, environmental degradation, and institutional fragmentation. This paper identifies key drivers of conflict and evaluates emerging pathways for sustainability transitions, including technological innovation, nature-based solutions, and participatory governance mechanisms. An integrative conceptual framework derived from a thematic synthesis of the reviewed literature is proposed. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and researchers seeking to reconcile economic development with water sustainability in resource-constrained environments.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica; Universidad Peruana Los Andes