Sustainable Infrastructure: Water, Energy & Transportation

The importance of infrastructure is often only recognized when it is lacking. Infrastructure enables an economic upturn and therefore provides an important basis for better living conditions. Water, energy and transport are the source, carrier and motor of development.

Sustainable infrastructure: water, energy, transport

Renewable Energy

Energy demand to enable socio-economic development will double by 2050 and must be met to fulfill Agenda 2030. At the same time and in line with the Paris Agreement, global carbon emissions must come down at an unprecedented scale, and net-zero emissions must be reached by 2050. Covering the increasing energy demand while promoting rapid decarbonization of energy supply is the paramount challenge of our generation.

Energy

Green and Climate Finance

From an economic point of view, a stable climate is a global public good. Measures for climate protection and adaptation to climate change cost money. An appropriate carbon price should actually ensure that environmental damage can be compensated. However, this is not the case. In order to cover the costs of climate protection and adaptation measures nevertheless, climate financing is used.

Green Economy

Economic growth and a fair distribution of wealth are the prerequisites for poverty reduction and sustainable development. However, if growth and development are bought at too high a cost in terms of consumption and emissions, future generations will suffer the consequences. “Green” growth requires new economic structures. GIZ advises its partner countries on the changeover.

Inclusive Finance

In many developing countries, poor people have no access to financial services. Financial inclusion aims to change this. It means that households and microenterprises receive access to microloans and financial services from formal providers on fair and transparent terms. This includes savings schemes, payment systems and insurance.

Mitigation of Green House Gas Emissions

Climate protection means reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the central challenges of the Paris Agreement is the implementation of NDCs in relevant sectors (mainstreaming). This requires closer interdisciplinary cooperation in climate-relevant sectors. In addition to energy and transport, other polluter sectors such as industry, waste, cities, agriculture and forestry play an important role in climate protection.

Natural Resources

Today, about three quarters of the world's poor live in countries whose economies are dominated by commodities. This is despite the fact that natural resource deposits have the potential to drive a country's development, reduce financial dependence on external donors and increase the prosperity of the population. In many countries, however, they have an opposite effect: state structures are weakened, the environment is destroyed, and social conflicts are created or exacerbated.

Regional and Sectoral Economic Development

This topic encompasses the spatial (regional/local) as well as the industry (sectoral) focused approach to economic development. Regional and sectoral approaches can also be combined to achieve greater effectiveness.

Security

The security situation in many partner countries for international cooperation is very tense. People in these countries live with armed conflict and the risk of frequent outbreaks of violence. The state must protect its citizens and respect democracy and human rights. GIZ strengthens the state’s legitimate monopoly on the use of force.

Sustainable Mobility

Worldwide, the quality of life in urban agglomerations suffers from the masses of traffic. Health-damaging exhaust fumes, noise, accidents and the use of space all cause problems for city dwellers. The more urbanization and motorization progress, the greater the problems. More and more roads and ever faster cars are not the way of the future. GIZ supports partners who want to make mobility sustainable.

Urbanization

Most people around the world now live in towns and cities. GIZ sees rapid global urbanisation as an opportunity to help shape dignified and environmentally sound lifestyles.  It promotes regional development to create equality of opportunity and tap into regional potential.

Waste Management and Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency

Waste problems are a particular burden on cities and urban agglomerations worldwide. It is estimated that cities in Africa and Asia will double their waste generation in the next 15 to 20 years. However, many developing and emerging countries do not have the necessary structures to deal with the increasing and complex volumes of waste. 

Water

Water is indispensable for our lives. It is the basis for food, a transport route, a source of energy, ecosystems, and an economic and cultural asset. The goal of global and sustainable water security is therefore set in the 2030 Agenda (SDG 6): "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all."

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