A Compendium of Good Practices on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (DRI) – World

Introduction

The magnitude and impact of disasters, including the extreme weather events, are on the rise worldwide, resulting in unprecedented damage and loss to infrastructure, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Taking climate change into account, the total global estimated Average Annual Loss (AAL) due to infrastructure damage is estimated to be between US$732-845 Billion, representing about 14 percent of 2021-2022 global GDP growth1 . Globally, 30 percent of the AAL is associated with geological hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and earthquake-induced landslides, and 70 percent with climatic hazards such as cyclonic wind, storm surge, flood, and rainfall-induced landslides. Roads and railways, telecommunications, and power and energy account for around 80 percent of the total AAL of infrastructure sectors. Therefore, while climate change mitigation and adaptation are crucially important, strengthening infrastructure resilience requires an integrated approach that addresses the full range of risk drivers.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, endorsed by 193 countries – including all G20 nations – clearly articulates the importance of sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems. Although, strengthening infrastructure resilience remains a major global challenge. The impact of climate change and disasters on infrastructure varies between countries, with Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) bearing the maximum brunt due to their limited adaptative capacity and resources. Disruption of services due to infrastructure failure in such countries exacerbates inequalities and vulnerabilities.

Investing in DRI can save lives, promote economic growth, and accelerate sustainable development. The G20 nations are committed to advancing efforts towards building infrastructure resilience through the exchange of good practices, technical expertise, collaborative research, and partnerships. Through international cooperation, G20 nations aim to promote principles for quality infrastructure investments (QII) and provide solutions aligned with the needs and strategies of the developing countries, including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.

Under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, CDRI, in collaboration with the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group2 , has prepared this compendium of good practices on DRI. The compendium includes 52 case studies from diverse regions and contexts, which may offer practical examples and learnings to policymakers, engineers, planners, investors, and other stakeholders for taking actionable steps towards sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The purpose of this compendium is to promote knowledge exchange and sharing through a collaborative process.

At the request of the DRR working group, G20 member countries, invited countries, and invited organizations submitted their case studies to the Brazil G20 presidency and CDRI. In addition, some of the good case studies received by CDRI in 2023 from its various coalition members were also considered for inclusion in the compendium.

All the case studies were reviewed by CDRI with support from various technical experts. Out of 61 case studies received, 52 have been shortlisted and included in this compendium. CDRI’s internal team reached out to various contributing agencies and countries to gather relevant information and clarification to finalize each of the case studies. Compiling relevant use cases on DRI is an ongoing initiative of CDRI, and this compendium is produced as a part of that initiative. The compendium will be further revised to enrich the content and deepen the analysis and will be disseminated widely across its coalition members and all other relevant stakeholders. Also, the contents and views expressed in the various case studies reflect the opinions of the contributing agencies and are not necessarily the official views of CDRI or the G20 DRR Working Group, Brazil presidency.

This compendium arrives at a pivotal moment, with only five years remaining to achieve the goals set by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement. As the global efforts intensify to build resilience and mitigate climate impacts, it provides timely insights and practical examples to adopt strategies for resilient infrastructure. It highlights the importance of context-specific solutions and demonstrates that infrastructure resilience requires strategies tailored to local conditions, risks, and capacities. The compendium also demonstrates that a deep understanding of social vulnerabilities and inclusivity has a critical role in achieving infrastructure resilience.

The selected case studies have been categorized into seven overarching themes that illustrate the functional dimensions and perspectives on infrastructure resilience and discuss challenges and lessons learned. The learnings emanating from these case studies have applicability in similar contexts. The thematic sections are as follows:

A. Building Infrastructure Resilience through Sector-Specific Interventions

This theme highlights sector-specific interventions for enhancing resilience. It covers tailored interventions for different types of infrastructure sectors, such as power, transportation, stormwater management, and social infrastructure like schools. They demonstrate how investments in research and capacity development, early warning systems for infrastructure assets, sector specific risk assessments of airports, metro systems, roads, bridges, and power sector assets can contribute towards building resilience of the infrastructure.

B. Embedding Resilience through Post-Disaster Reconstruction of Infrastructure

This theme examines how to incorporate resilience into rebuilding efforts after a disaster. It emphasizes integrating lessons from past events to strengthen infrastructure and prevent future vulnerabilities and impacts. Rebuilding after disasters provides an opportunity to embed long-term resilience into infrastructure, fostering sustainable recovery. The case studies under this theme demonstrate how improved designs and retrofitting based on updated codes can lead to resilient recovery.

C. Financing for Infrastructure Resilience

Recognizing that financial constraints can impact resilience efforts, this theme explores various funding mechanisms and investment strategies for building and maintaining resilient infrastructure. The case studies under this theme discuss about innovative tools and financial mechanisms such as insurance and the role of the public and private sectors in scaling up resilient infrastructure financing efforts.

D. Nature-Based Infrastructure Solutions (NBIS) for Resilience

This theme includes case studies that highlight the use of nature-based solutions to enhance infrastructure resilience. It highlights how natural systems, such as wetlands and forests, are integrated into infrastructure planning to provide environmental and structural benefits. Nature based solutions such as micro-forests, community gardens, and swales offer cost-effective solutions for protecting the infrastructure while supporting biodiversity, enhancing community engagement, and promoting food security.

E. Risk Assessments and Stress Testing of Infrastructure Systems

This theme explores methodologies for risk assessment of infrastructure systems from geohazards and climateinduced shocks and stresses. Thorough risk assessments during the project planning stages enable anticipation of potential failures of infrastructure systems, and plan for pro-active adaptation to build resilience.

F. Strengthening Institutional

Governance for Infrastructure Resilience This theme addresses the role of governance in promoting infrastructure resilience. It covers developing and implementing codes, standards, and policies that guide resilient infrastructure practices and ensure compliance across different regions. These case studies demonstrate that strong institutional governance and adherence to updated codes and standards are crucial to ensuring infrastructure resilience.

G. Infrastructure for Social and Economic Resilience

This theme highlights that incorporating the perspectives of equity and social justice into infrastructure development is not just an ethical imperative but a practical necessity. The case studies featured under this theme demonstrate how infrastructure development can lead to social and economic resilience. By tailoring infrastructure solutions to local conditions, ensuring community participation, and prioritizing infrastructure investments that protect and support the most vulnerable groups.

This compendium is a rich repository of pragmatic examples, learnings, and replicable solutions that can inform stakeholders worldwide to design and implement disaster resilient infrastructure projects that are better equipped to face future disasters. CDRI believes that this compendium will be an opportunity to strengthen the agenda of the G20 DRR Working Group, which is to consolidate and disseminate knowledge to empower developing countries including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS to plan and invest in DRI as a cornerstone for sustainable future.