Global Agendas

The central role of infrastructure as a driver of development was not always acknowledged, and it was only in the last decade that the multidimensional scope of sustainability in infrastructure development reached global development agendas. Infrastructure enables societies to function and economies to thrive. As such, infrastructure is crucial for development at the focalpoint of many global agendas. It can empower a sustainable multidimensional development in line with many of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the backbone for development, infrastructure has the potential to support and strenghten the resilience of not only economic, but also environmental and social development.  Investments in sustainable infrastructure are seen as the “key to (…) reigniting growth, delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals, and reducing climate risk”.

Several global initiatives have emerged to steer the evolution of sustainable infrastructure. The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), initiated by the G7 in 2022, mobilizes funding in the amount of 600 bn US$ to modernize infrastructure with a focus on sustainability and resilience. Similarly, the EU’s Global Gateway is a strategic initiative that promotes enhanced connectivity, digital transformation, and a green transition across regions. In parallel, the G20 Infrastructure Working Group is establishing common standards to ensure infrastructure investments are robust, sustainable, and competitive on a global scale.  

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) further underscores the international scale of infrastructure development. Launched by China, the BRI spans over 60 countries and supports projects in transportation, energy, and digital connectivity. Although its primary aim is to boost connectivity and economic cooperation, its projects are increasingly scrutinized for their environmental and social impacts. Critics point out risks such like carbon-intensive investments, biodiversity loss, and community displacement. This growing pressure has sparked calls for greener practices, such as investing in renewable energy and sustainable transport, while ensuring transparency and robust governance. 

A range of frameworks and certification initiatives guide the integration of sustainability into infrastructure planning. UNEP’s International Good Practice Principles and the G20 Principles and Indicators on Sustainable Infrastructure set global benchmarks for resilient infrastructure investments. Sustainable certification programs like the Blue Dot Network and FAST-Infra streamline project evaluation by providing clear, internationally recognized sustainability criteria.  

Furthermore, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have embedded sustainable infrastructure principles into their lending practices. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was the first MDB to develop a framework for sustainable infrastructure referring to environmental, social, economic/financial and institutional dimensions of sustainability. Dedicated trust funds, such as the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) and the Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Partnership, that support the integration of sustainability into infrastructure investments, ensuring that capital flows towards projects that are resilient, innovative, and sustainable. Furthermore, initiatives like the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa by the African Development Bank, African Union, and Africa50, aim to promote investments in green infrastructure projects. 

By embedding sustainable practices into every stage of infrastructure planning — from project design to implementation — this integrated approach highlighted by global agendas on infrastructure not only drives economic growth but also paves the way for a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.