Infrastructure is key to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate, biodiversity loss, and pollution. | Inger Andersen
Infrastructure, despite providing long-term benefits, including energy and water supply, waste and wastewater management, transport systems, digital communications, and buildings, contributes to about 79% of global GHG emissions and 88% of all adaptation costs.
The majority of GHG emissions are contributed by the energy, building, and transport sectors across infrastructure lifecycles, including material extraction, transportation, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Further, the global climate investment scenario highlights that 10% of the annual investments are towards adaptation; indicating that the focus has been on mitigation.
Due to rapid urbanization, climate change impacts have been predominately concentrated in urban areas and are expected to increase 2.5 times by 2050.
In this context, the local governments need to adopt an integrated approach where mitigation and adaptation together promote human development; by protecting infrastructure, accommodating increased hazards, and avoiding exposed areas for new infrastructure development.
One such approach is ‘Climate Compatible Development’, i.e., development that minimizes the harm caused by climate impacts while maximizing the many human development opportunities presented by a low-emission, more resilient future. (Climate and Development Knowledge Network).
Various actions across infrastructure lifecycles supporting ‘Climate Compatible Development’ include:
1️⃣Planning Stage
▪️Considering Interdependencies & Systems Planning
▪️Encourage Cross-Ministerial Cooperation
▪️Contextual Considerations in Strategic Infra Planning
2️⃣Delivery Stage
▪️Strengthening Relationships for Financing
▪️Sourcing Local Materials & Workforce
3️⃣Management Stage
▪️Conducting Proactive Asset Maintenance
▪️Restoring Natural Environment after Decommissioning
Further, it is being recognized that integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can play an essential role in the delivery of infrastructure that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. This would require stringent regulatory frameworks focusing on:
▪️Expanding the Adoption of NbS
▪️Socio-Environmental Protection & Risk Reduction
▪️Cross-Sectoral Collaborations
▪️Incentivizing Practitioners
▪️Benefits to Marginalized People
▪️Effective Lifecycle Operations
Grete Faremo | Jim Hall | UNOPS | UN Environment Programme | University of Oxford
Report Link | https://lnkd.in/gsg4SUmr
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