Since modern infrastructure is responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a low carbon economy must be promoted in the coming decades to address this problem. However, in Latin America, the level of gross domestic product (GDP) investment in infrastructure has not reached the green growth targets in recent years. In the case of Colombia, 7% of GDP per year is needed, compared to the current level of investment of 3.6%.
Faced with this daunting challenge, the UK and the IDB Group have formed an alliance to build and deliver the Sustainable Infrastructure Program (UKSIP), respectively, to reduce emissions and drive transformative change. The programme, a partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank and Anglo-Saxon countries, provides $230m (£177m) between 2018 and 2022 and aims to increase private sector investment in sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure. The plan is based on the Sustainable Infrastructure Framework.
Heading towards sustainability
Private sector companies are called to be agents and leaders of change to build a more just, peaceful, democratic and environmentally friendly society.
- Products and services that help you be sustainable: The current business dynamics of the world demands that all organizations evolve towards green and clean processes. This will only be achieved if solutions are implemented that converge in analytical technologies, artificial intelligence, among others, which, in addition to increasing productivity rates, allow the configuration of models that allow the optimization of inputs and raw materials, including energy. . A rational use of this resource becomes one of the axes that allows reducing CO2 emissions.
- Development of alternative self-generation systems: sunlight and wind currents are sources of energy generation that offer availability and price benefits. Organizations from different sectors have chosen to develop photovoltaic systems which, in addition to allowing them to be self-sufficient, save costs and promote controlled consumption.
- Reduction in the use of fossil fuels: The emissions generated by the combustion in dispatch logistics processes have a broad impact on the environment. That is why organizations must replace their transportation fleets with electric cars. In Colombia, Schneider Electric has already taken the first step towards clean mobility, with the acquisition of a 100% electric utility car which, in addition to guaranteeing the timely delivery of products, has features and functionalities to reduce CO2 emissions.
- Establish circular economy systems: These are essentially mechanisms with which raw materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, some metals, among others, are given a longer useful life to develop new products. Establishing an effective recycling strategy becomes one of the pillars to guarantee sustainable growth over time for organizations.
