Infrastructure development

This technical note focuses on spatial planning for wind and solar development with respect to biodiversity. It is intended primarily for government planners responsible for the longterm sustainable roll out and/or expansion of renewable energy and associated infrastructure (e.g. grid infrastructure and facilities such as ports) at regional, national, and sub-national levels.

The key aim of this guidance is to reframe cumulative impact assessment (CIA) to help support biodiversity conservation and the achievement of global biodiversity goals (alongside climate and other societal development goals). This guidance is focused on biodiversity and wind and solar development, and is aimed primarily at government planners and project developers.

The development of linear transport infrastructure (LTI) can have a variety of direct and indirect impacts on protected and conserved areas (PCAs) and other intact areas with high biodiversity and ecological connectivity values. Poorly planned and constructed roads, railways and canals can sever habitats, disrupt ecosystems and threaten species.

To showcase how increased returns on investment opportunities can be achieved by applying a nexus approach, best practices of the water-energy-food nexus were collected in the form of several case studies. The best practice cases focus on water, energy and food security dimensions that advance socio-economic development and propose the nexus as a promising approach to resolving competition over limited resources. 

To showcase how increased returns on investment opportunities can be achieved by applying a nexus approach, best practices of the water-energy-food nexus were collected in the form of several case studies. The best practice cases focus on water, energy and food security dimensions that advance socio-economic development and propose the nexus as a promising approach to resolving competition over limited resources. 

Les lignes électriques causent chaque année la mort de millions d’oiseaux dans le monde. Il s’agit d’un problème mondial qui, loin de s’atténuer, s’aggrave à mesure que la production et la consommation d’énergie électrique se développent dans le monde entier et atteignent des zones reculées, jusque-là dépourvues de ces infrastructures. Tel est par exemple le cas dans certaines régions d’Afrique du Nord.

The Weight of Cities calls for a new strategy for 21st century urbanization: resource efficiency and social inclusion must become the focus of urban development strategies if we want to stand a chance of achieving the 2030 Development Agenda as well as the New Urban Agenda.