Gareth is an environmental engineer who specialises in Resource Nexus analyses, the WEF Nexus Index, and integrated mine closure and transition planning, studies, and execution.
Gareth is an environmental engineer specialising in mine closure studies, post-mining land-use assessments, closure cost estimating, landform and cover design, erosion analysis, tailings facility closure, hydrogeology, dam design, and other technical studies. Gareth has led integrated engineering and environmental projects for mines, quarries, power stations, and large industries since 2000. He was previously engaged in the agricultural and water resources sectors. Gareth has an active interest in applying the Resource Nexus and a human rights approach to post-mining inclusive transitions.
Gareth has also led and participated in various Resource Nexus research projects, with his PhD focusing on integrated water-energy-food nexus resource planning, management, and security. He is the founder and team leader for the WEF Nexus Index. He was invited to the United Nations Expert Group Meeting in New York in February 2025 in preparation for the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Gareth and his research team received the PRISMA Sustainability Assessment and Policy ‘Special Award’ at the United Nations University’s Dresden Nexus Conference in April 2025 for work on the WEF Nexus Index. In 2023, the WEF Nexus Index website was shortlisted for the Data Visualisation Society’s “Information is Beautiful” Award.
UNU-FLORES Focus Area:
- Transformed Landscapes
Appointments:
- National Executive: Mine Closure, WSP Australia Pty Limited
- Associate Expert, UNU-FLORES
Research Interests:
- Resource Nexus for Post-Mining Inclusive Transitions
- Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Index, Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus
- Sustainable Development