(https://www.stimson.org/acre-build-the-future-declaration/#)
The Declaration
A Global Priority –
By 2050 the world’s population is projected to reach 10 billion and there will be 4 times as much infrastructure on the planet as exists today. The world will spend trillions on infrastructure each year, largely in our cities. Infrastructure is the backbone of commerce and affects every person on the planet. It drives national economies, acts as a job- multiplier, and provides basic products and essential services such as, water, food, energy, telecom, and transport.
Avoiding Climate-Related Disasters –
Greenhouse gas emissions are rising, contributing to multibillion dollar disasters that destroy lives and livelihoods, including homes, buildings, hospitals, schools, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Vulnerable populations, marginalized communities, small islands, and poor countries are hit the hardest. Building climate resilient and sustainable infrastructure is the way to win the Race to Resilience, protect people and nature, and contribute to the Race to Net Zero.
Failure is not an Option –
Business as usual for infrastructure projects is a prescription for global catastrophe. The moral consequences of failure are unacceptable. In all geographies around the world, we need to raise infrastructure so it can withstand climate disasters and ensure that communities thrive. To make this happen, we need to have the people who plan, design, construct, and operate the infrastructure apply higher standards, codes, and guidelines to build the future we want.
Achieving the Vision of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals–
The nationally determined contributions and 2030 goals are not self-executing. To drive the process, we need to harness the transformative power of infrastructure investments to achieve the triple bottom line of economic well-being and jobs, social justice and equitable inclusion, and environmental protection of forests, oceans, and our ecological life-support systems.
From Words to Action
- Listen to scientists, engineers, and other infrastructure workers and professionals who build and retrofit infrastructure and know how to strengthen standards, codes, and guidelines
- Ensure that vulnerable peoples and poor communities are at the center of decision-making
- Integrate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions
- Promote just, inclusive, and sustainable financing
- Harden our infrastructure to protect it from climate-related extreme weather
- Reduce climate risks to obtain affordable insurance and reinsurance
- Encourage transparent and sustainable procurement practices
- Incentivize well buildings and safe, accessible, and affordable infrastructure
- Reduce the carbon footprint
- Support research and innovation to facilitate adoption of breakthrough technologies
- Important Note: The success of this declaration between API & ACRE depends on the interest, active voluntary participation, and proactive contribution of the API BOD Members and of the Members of API at large, to the various goals listed in the declaration.