3.7.1. Sustainable Infrastructure Overview

Sustainable Infrastructure, be it built, natural or hybrid, are systems that are “planned, designed, constructed, operated and decommissioned in a manner that ensures economic and financial, social, environmental, including climate resilience, and institutional sustainability over the entire infrastructure life cycle” (UNEP).

Sustainable infrastructure refers to systems that are developed and managed with a focus on long-term sustainability across various dimensions. This means that such infrastructure should be designed not only to fulfill immediate needs but also to ensure economic viability, social equity, and environmental protection throughout its entire lifespan. This includes planning, construction, operation, and decommissioning phases, all of which need to be attended to carefully to maintain sustainability.

Think of sustainable infrastructure like a well-planned garden. When planting, one should consider the types of plants that will thrive together, the layout for sunlight and space, and how the garden will maintain itself over time. Just as a gardener has to think ahead to ensure that the garden remains healthy and vibrant, infrastructure must be designed with foresight to endure and adapt to future challenges.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that an annual investment of USD 6.9 trillion is needed for infrastructure to meet development goals and create a low carbon, climate resilient future by 2050.

The OECD has highlighted that to achieve necessary infrastructure development goals and address climate changes effectively, a substantial financial commitment is required. This USD 6.9 trillion per year is essential for building infrastructure that is not only efficient but also low in carbon emissions and resilient to climate-related changes, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future.

Imagine planning a large community project, like building a new community center. Just as the project requires a clear budget to ensure all aspects are covered—from construction to utilities—similarly, the investment in infrastructure must be comprehensive, ensuring that all necessary resources are allocated to meet future societal needs while protecting the environment.

OECD’s Strategic Policies for Sustainable Infrastructure identifies various themes that require attention, such as, Low-carbon transition, Technology and Innovation, Inclusiveness and Accessibility, etc.

The OECD has outlined strategic themes vital for achieving sustainable infrastructure. Focus areas include facilitating a shift towards low-carbon technologies, leveraging innovative solutions, and ensuring that infrastructure is accessible and inclusive to all members of society. Addressing these themes is crucial for creating an infrastructure that promotes both sustainability and equity.

Consider a public transportation system: if it is designed with low-emission buses (low-carbon transition), uses technology like real-time tracking for buses (technology and innovation), and includes routes that serve all neighborhoods (inclusiveness and accessibility), it exemplifies the strategic themes highlighted by the OECD.

The OECD is developing a toolkit on quality infrastructure investment for policymakers and practitioners, based on the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII), developed under the Japanese G20 Presidency.

The OECD is working towards providing tools and resources for effective infrastructure investment, based on principles established during the G20 meetings. These principles focus on ensuring that investments are made thoughtfully to maximize positive impacts on society, enhance efficiency, incorporate environmental factors, increase resilience against disasters, and improve governance of infrastructure projects.

Think about how a successful business creates a solid business plan before opening. Similar to this process, the toolkit aims to help policymakers and practitioners carefully plan and execute infrastructure projects, ensuring they meet desired goals without unintended negative consequences.

The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) Members States in March 2023 adopted a resolution on ‘Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure’ encouraging them to; provide opportunities for engaging relevant stakeholders, promote investment in sustainable and resilient infrastructure, natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

The recent UN resolution emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting sustainable infrastructure. It encourages various stakeholders to engage in conversations, invest in infrastructures that are resilient and environmentally friendly, and implement natural solutions that can help bolster sustainability across projects. This highlights a global recognition of the need for coordinated action towards sustainable development.

Much like a community organizing a neighborhood watch requires involvement from different residents and local authorities to ensure safety, the UN resolution stresses that building sustainable infrastructure needs collective engagement from various sectors—involving governments, businesses, and the public—to foster a truly resilient and sustainable future.

The International Good Practice Principles for Sustainable Infrastructure have the following guiding principles: Strategic Planning, Responsive, Resilient, And Flexible Service Provision, Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainability, Avoiding Environmental Impacts and Investing In Nature, Resource Efficiency and Circularity, Equity, Inclusiveness, And Empowerment, Enhancing Economic Benefits, Fiscal Sustainability and Innovative Financing, Transparent, Inclusive, And Participatory Decision-Making, Evidence-Based Decision-Making.

The guiding principles established for sustainable infrastructure serve as a comprehensive framework for practitioners. These principles highlight the importance of planning strategically, ensuring resilience in services provided, conducting assessments for sustainability, prioritizing environmental conservation, utilizing resources efficiently, and ensuring that infrastructure benefits are equitably distributed among all community stakeholders. By adhering to these principles, infrastructure projects can be better aligned with sustainability goals.

Imagine creating a roadmap before embarking on a long journey. Just as a roadmap helps to ensure all necessary stopovers and considerations are accounted for (fuel stations, rest areas, scenic routes), these guiding principles ensure that every step in infrastructure development is deliberate, beneficial, and environmentally friendly.

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