ICE insights paper: how can governments plan for sustainable infrastructure?

Long-term planning is essential to support the delivery of sustainable infrastructure. 

Factoring in critical considerations can help strengthen planning.

This includes addressing skills gaps and development opportunities to ensure individuals can perform in-demand jobs in the sustainable infrastructure space, such as environmental engineers and data warehousing specialists. 

Considering costs, funding and financing is also important to ensure that there are sufficient funding mechanisms throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

Finally, using data and digital solutions, such as surveys, digital applications, and artificial intelligence, can help governments anticipate future needs and plan accordingly.

This insights paper goes into more detail on the approaches above, the challenges that governments face and additional themes to factor in when planning strategically.

It makes the following observations:

• Conducting expert research on infrastructure identifies country needs and priorities.
• Engaging with stakeholders, including politicians, government departments, specialists and the public, strengthens planning.
• Identifying and addressing skills gaps ensures necessary capabilities exist.
• Incorporating local and regional needs provides a comprehensive view of the infrastructure system.
• Considering value for money in the beginning and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle avoids cost overruns and unexpected pricing.
• Determining the purpose and role of data helps in the efficiency of sustainable infrastructure delivery.
• Connecting strategy to delivery ensures original goals match infrastructure outcomes.