(Photo by William Veerbeek via Flickr/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED)
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A significant sign of a developed country is having infrastructure that allows access to resources and opportunities. In developing countries, new infrastructure allows for better ties to global trade, access to better employment for their citizens, and more stable economies. With many types of infrastructure, such as transportation, housing, and energy production, which all produce emissions, it is essential to consider how developing countries create low-carbon infrastructure. Infrastructure is responsible for 37% of emissions globally. While the world tries to reduce the use of fossil fuels, reducing emissions is often for industries that are important to infrastructure.
Infrastructure’s Shapes and Roles
Infrastructure plays a crucial role in shaping how people go about their daily lives, including how they commute and access work, housing, and energy for daily tasks. In developing countries, transportation is a key feature of infrastructure. It can be cars, public transport, or air travel, but given the environmental impact of carbon emissions, prioritizing public transport is essential for reducing carbon footprints. Despite the perception that public transport may come with certain financial costs, its lower emissions make it a more environmentally friendly choice than cars and airplanes. Yet, due to political and economic considerations, developing countries often go for higher carbon-cost transportation means, such as cars and planes.
Good transportation is crucial for cities to operate efficiently, helping people to commute to work, home, leisure activities, and neighbouring cities. For instance, South Korea and China have demonstrated that continuous investments in public transport infrastructure lead to its development over time. These investments will decrease costs related to building new train routes and stations as expertise in creating effective public transport grows, ultimately lowering overall costs. Additionally, high-speed rail systems eliminate the need to own a car or take costly plane trips, offering affordable and environmentally friendly transportation options for a country.
A Developing Dependence on Non-Renewable Energy
Furthermore, energy will become a critical developmental challenge as people increasingly move to cities seeking better opportunities. Traditional energy sources, like coal and oil, face an uncertain future. There is a growing realization that renewable energy, particularly solar energy, can be more cost-effective with the right motivations., For solar energy to thrive, governments need to implement policies that reduce the production costs of solar panels.
Countries should avoid direct competition with heavily funded oil and gas industries, but government-owned “petroleum companies” play a significant role in developing economies. For instance, Saudi Aramco, the main oil company in Saudi Arabia, has been pivotal in driving the country’s rapid development. Yet, transitioning towards renewable energy is necessary to reduce the risks associated with over-reliance on fossil fuels. Internal development of renewable energy sources is essential to safeguard the economy from potential disruptions caused by a decline in fossil fuel consumption.
Climate Resilient Development
Housing, similar to transportation, can vary in materials and styles used. Ensuring that new housing is energy efficient in cooling and heating is necessary for developing countries less likely to experience blackouts during extreme weather. Infrastructure beyond energy production is as important as building a sustainable future for developing countries to tackle climate change-related disasters. Climate-resilient infrastructure is another critical factor for developing countries. In Vietnam, new homes along the Mekong River were built to withstand flooding, allowing residents to maintain food and energy production and quickly recover from flood-related disturbances. This innovative approach shows how sustainable infrastructure can enhance the resilience of communities to environmental challenges.
Extreme heat in India also highlights the importance of social infrastructure in protecting people. By sending out alerts via phones and other electronic devices, individuals are informed about the dangerous heat, allowing them to seek shelter. According to studies completed by the Urban Institute, the development of new housing helps guarantee the availability of affordable homes combined with the community, letting people remain in their communities without financial strain. These instances show how essential community-driven initiatives are in establishing secure housing options and supporting individuals living in areas vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Which International Efforts Are Involved?
International efforts have focused on supporting disaster relief funds for climate change disasters. Aid to Central American countries affected by extreme weather has been helpful, but has not addressed the root causes contributing to worsening storms. Developed countries have hesitated to reduce high-emission usage, showing a lack of clear leadership. Consequently, it is uncertain what types of infrastructure will exist in developing countries. A promising initiative from the UN-Habitat, Urban Planning and Infrastructure in Migration Contexts, allows local community stakeholders to have a say in distributing infrastructure and resources provided by the UN. It offers more freedom to people receiving support from the UN in building their future infrastructure, separating from the CO2-dependent development trends of historically developed countries.
Efforts to promote low-carbon resources are limited in developing countries compared to developed countries, but more reforms can occur. Public transit can help reduce emissions and boost the economy if done correctly. Renewable energy development faces challenges as it is location-specific, unlike easily transportable fossil fuels. Still, building new power lines can help facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources. Adapting housing to withstand extreme weather conditions can, too, reduce energy consumption and improve resilience to climate change. Overall, carrying out these reforms in both developed and developing countries can lead to new infrastructure that is more sustainable and resilient.
Edited by Chelsea Bean
