Infrastructure and sustainable development are positively linked. Approximately 70% of greenhouse gases are associated with the construction and operation of infrastructure, and buildings alone are estimated to account for more than 30% of global resource consumption and energy end use. According to a WHO report, the number of deaths due to emissions from key infrastructure industries is expected to rise from 150,000 a year now to 250,000 by 2030.
Does that mean the solution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and saving the planet is to stop all infrastructure construction? Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between SDGs and infrastructure.
In 2015, all United Nations member states adopted sustainability development policies centered on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 goals provide a global blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, and are targeted to be achieved by 2030. Needless to say, SDG 9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities” are related to infrastructure.
But we also rely on many forms of infrastructure to provide essential services and support our economies. Just as quality education (SDG 4) and productivity depend on access to energy (SDG 7), human well-being depends on water and sanitation infrastructure (SDG 6). Infrastructure improves health (SDG 3), improves economic growth (SDG 8) and, together, helps eradicate poverty (SDG 1). Overall, purpose-planned urban infrastructure, such as smart public transport, green and energy-efficient buildings, and green spaces, is essential to ensuring that the world’s fast-growing cities are aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
These examples show that the answer is not to stop infrastructure construction, but to improve construction plans and shape them to help achieve the SDGs. Part of the solution lies in sustainable or low-carbon infrastructure.
What is the definition of sustainable infrastructure? Sustainable infrastructure is planned, designed, constructed, operated, and decommissioned in a manner that ensures economic, financial, social, environmental (including climate change resilience), and institutional sustainability throughout its lifecycle. While economic returns and financial aspects are important, there are also relevant economic risks such as debt and financial sustainability that need to be considered to avoid negative impacts.
Sustainable infrastructure can help countries increase their resilience while protecting against the effects of extreme climate change. An example of low-carbon infrastructure is rail infrastructure, which reduces the number of trucks that emit carbon dioxide.
The demand for this type of infrastructure and the drivers of global economic growth are increasing in both developed and developing countries.
Infrastructure has cross-sectoral benefits and provides the basis for improvements within three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental.
Sustainable infrastructure supports the realization of all societal SDGs. Improving access to basic services is one of the fundamental objectives of infrastructure development, and sustainable infrastructure that integrates electricity, transport, water and sanitation services is closely linked to poverty alleviation.
For economies, investment in infrastructure delivers growth through job creation, new sources of income, trade opportunities, assets and services. Optimal use of local labor and materials can stimulate the local economy and contribute to poverty reduction.
Finally, it is widely recognized that the goals set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change can only be achieved through a transition to sustainable energy, which requires major investments in new infrastructure, and by limiting climate change at any level.
Below are two examples of sustainable infrastructure in practice in developed and developing countries.
Denmark
Construction of roads, bridges, industrial facilities, etc. must take future climate conditions into account. The city of Copenhagen in Denmark did this with its 2012 Cloudburst initiative. The plan outlines recommended measures for climate adaptation, including extreme rainfall. Tunnels and roads are designed to increase drainage capacity and direct water to the sea. In addition, flood protection mechanisms were installed in the building.
Infrastructure supports developing countries as they seek to integrate into the global economy by facilitating international trade. Properly functioning transportation and intermodal transport infrastructure allows domestic producers to export goods abroad.
kenya
Kenya’s Olkaria Power Plant is a geothermal investment project built to reduce the country’s dependence on hydropower. According to the World Bank, Olkaria has increased the share of geothermal energy in Kenya’s national energy mix to 51%. Developing geothermal power is also key to Kenya’s strategy to alleviate poverty by increasing access to reliable, clean energy. World Bank Kenya Country Director Diarietu Gay commented on how the energy sector is “a critical infrastructure investment in the fight against poverty”.
Want to learn more about sustainability and the United Nations?
In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to hold a major international environmental conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on 2 and 3 June 2022, the week of World Environment Day.
This event provides leaders with an opportunity to leverage 50 years of multilateral environmental action to achieve the bold and urgent action needed to ensure a better future for a healthy planet.
By recognizing the importance of multilateralism in tackling Earth’s triple planetary crises of climate, nature and pollution, this event will serve as a springboard to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including the 2030 Agenda, and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
For more information on multilateral cooperation in the SDGs, climate mitigation and the environment, visit Stockholm+50.
Learn more here:
Moving forward with Stockholm +50 – United Nations Western Europe (unric.org)
Stockholm+50 (unep.org)
