Jordan faces significant challenges in ensuring water, energy, and food security, compounded by the impacts of climate change. This research explores the key drivers of technology innovation to address these challenges within the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus context. It also emphasizes the importance of German-Jordanian research collaboration in advancing solutions to tackle climate change impacts in Jordan. Technological innovation is critical to enhancing resource efficiency and resilience in water, energy, and food systems. This work highlights how technological approaches interlink water productivity, energy efficiency, and energy independence. Among the studied approaches are solar-energy-driven water extraction schemes, rainwater harvesting measures as blue-green infrastructure, and a decentralized water reuse scheme with membrane technology. The approach will evaluate key indicators of those technologies, including water productivity, energy demand, and influence on and by climate change. For example, rainwater harvesting of flash flood events might catch ~ 11 MCM of water in Amman, exceeding the water production of a small drinking water plant. Water desiccation can yield 50–100 L of water per hour in a greenhouse producing tomatoes, driven by solar energy. The decentralized water reuse scheme tested in Germany will be evaluated for energy demand and water yields and compared with saved energy by reducing water pumping and fertilizer application. Indicators to compare the technology include energy and added value per cubic meter of water. The technologies that are thus evaluated will contribute to sustainable development by tackling Jordan’s water crisis under energy constraints and impacting food security. Key drivers for Jordan to select innovations promoting water, energy, and food security involving environmental, economic, and social dimensions are identified. These include spending for R&D, as well as issues such as institutional cooperation or prices for water and energy. The collaboration between Germany and Jordan leverages technological expertise and local knowledge to develop integrated strategies for the WEF Nexus, which is also relevant for the whole Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This collaborative effort aims to generate insights and solutions that can be scaled up to address similar challenges globally. By focusing on the Nexus of water, energy, and food security, this research contributes to the discourse on climate change adaptation and sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research and innovative approaches in fostering resilience and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability in Jordan and beyond.