We know that transparency, participation and accountability in infrastructure has a fundamental role to play in the climate crisis. Infrastructure considerations are vital for sustainability. Our work has included the creation of climate resilient infrastructure – especially in the regions most impacted by climate change, and reducing the environmental impact of infrastructure projects.
1. Our climate finance and sustainability standards
We expanded our data standards to focus on climate finance, and sustainability across four different areas based on research from almost 70 countries. Our new modules include a total of 78 data points that can support members and non-members to drive sustainability across economic and financial, environmental and climate resilience, social and institutional considerations. The modules offer a degree of flexibility while allowing institutions to further consider the future impact of infrastructure projects. To support the use of these modules, we have developed resources and tools, such as our climate finance guidance note and online portal.
2. Training and community discussions
We have been training government/ public officials, private sector and civil society on using the new climate finance and sustainability standards. We have been supporting members to maximise the benefits of these modules, with members discussing relevant data points in community meetings and planning to integrate them into their data portals. So far, this training has taken place in Mexico, Uganda, Nigeria and Malawi, with plans to roll out the training further across Latin America and Asia.
3. Events – OGP summit, our events
Throughout the years, we have been a vocal advocate of the role of infrastructure in driving climate resilience. Each year for the last three years, we have organised our own events on climate finance and sustainability, with hundreds of attendees from dozens of countries. We have also highlighted the importance of environmental, sustainability and climate finance considerations at international events organised by partner organisations, such as with Open Government Partnership, United Nations, World Bank Anti-Corruption Conference, C20, OECD Integrity Forum,and more.
4. Focus on water infrastructure
Recognising the essential role of water and sanitation infrastructure in supporting many Sustainable Development Goals and to counter severe droughts predicted in the future, we have often worked with the Water Integrity Network to develop tools and resources. This includes a Framework for Integrity in Infrastructure Planning, which provides insights on potential trade-offs being made around environmental risks, among other factors. We have highlighted key lessons from this work, and actions that must be taken to prevent a global clean water scarcity crisis.
5. Our work in countries across the world
Outside of the training on our data modules, we have worked across many countries to support environmental and sustainability work. We assessed the New Brazilian Infrastructure Policy (PAC) with Transparency International Brazil , which included looking at environmental risks. Our members’ work around environmentalism has been recognised by the United Nations, with the United Nations Environment Programme showcasing the work of CoST Malawi in a report on Sustainable Infrastructure. CoST Bogota’s work was highlighted in a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report, based on a criteria of innovation, replicability and sustainability. It included recognition of their data portal, which publishes information on a range of infrastructure projects, including environment projects. On top of this, several of our members have highlighted a specific focus on climate finance in their most recent member plans.
We are proud of our wide ranging work in driving environmental sustainability. All our tools, standards and resources, such as our guidance notes, can be applied by members and non-members. If you would like to find out more, email CoST@infrastructuretransparency.org or follow us on social media on LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook.
CoST, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST) is a leading global non-profit improving transparency, participation and accountability in infrastructure to deliver quality infrastructure that improves lives and strengthens economies.