A Playbook for Nature-positive Infrastructure Development

25 SEPTEMBER 2023

Infrastructure is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. For example, 95% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is within 5 km of a road. Infrastructure also contributes approximately 79% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with most associated with energy, buildings and transport. There is increasing recognition that the two greatest challenges of our time – climate change and biodiversity loss – cannot be meaningfully addressed without a fundamental shift in how we conceptualise, design and construct our infrastructure. This brings to the fore the question: can we develop our infrastructure in a way that supports and restores ecosystem health and biological diversity, helps our societies adapt to climate change and enables our journey to net zero?
 
Related Content
View all

Nature

Exploring nature-positive buildings

This report shows built environment sector stakeholders the first steps towards assessing the ‘whole-life nature impacts’ of buildings.
Knowledge Product

Learn more

Nature

Banking on nature: What the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework means for responsible banks

The briefing explains how the GBF applies to banks, outlining risks, opportunities, and actions to prepare for emerging requirements.
Knowledge Product

Learn more

Nature

Summary - Towards an IUCN Nature-Positive Approach: a Working Paper

IUCN is developing a quantitative, rights‑based methodology to measure nature‑positive progress, helping to assess risks, set targets, and guide action.
Knowledge Product

Learn more