Adequate infrastructure is vital for any thriving or developing community, as it provides the physical and digital structures that support society. As world leaders work to address the challenges of climate change and rising inequality, investing in appropriate infrastructure has never been more important.
New infrastructure is needed to adapt to the energy transition as we move away from fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency1 estimates that, to meet Net Zero by 2020 goals, infrastructure investment needs to exceed $USD 1 trillion annually by 2030. Furthermore, climate adaptation upgrades to airports, railways and other infrastructure are going to be increasingly important as temperature levels rise. The effect of record temperatures in the UK in July 2022 are a prime example of this, as a raft of public infrastructure, including rail, water and electricity were placed under severe strain from the heat.2 Infrastructure also plays a role in addressing social inequity through improvements in education and healthcare, as well as expanding access to the internet and digital services for the world’s most underserved populations. The consequences of the digital divide became particularly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.3
