The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the ninth of which is "Industry, innovation and infrastructure", namely: build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. 

Under this major goal, there are eight targets, the first of which is "Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all".

● Current Situation

About the World

Increase Infrastructure Investment Globally 

Infrastructure is a prerequisite for economic development and is essential for sustainable and inclusive growth. Infrastructure facilitates people's participation in labor, production and services, facilitate the entry and effective distribution of products in the market, and promotes technological progress. Therefore, the scale and quality of infrastructure investment are of decisive significance to the improvement of human well-being.

Photo source: baidu.com

Once the worst phase of the Covid-19 crisis is over, governments will need to invest in infrastructure more than ever, so as to accelerate economic recovery, create jobs, reduce poverty and stimulate productive investment.

Text source: ce.cn

About China

Great Achievements in Sustainable Infrastructure

China's infrastructure development, especially the construction of expressways, high-speed railways and airports, has made remarkable achievements in the world. Chinese government is committed to solving the environmental problems caused by infrastructure construction by strengthening environmental protection, restoring the ecosystem of major river basins, controlling air pollution and responding to low-carbon economy initiatives. 

Photo source: baidu.com

The concept of "ecological civilization" advocated by China has been well known in Asia. The achievements in sustainable infrastructure construction can benefit the region and even the world. China has made a good example for other countries to follow.

Text source: ce.cn

●  Cases

About the World

UK Pushing Green Infrastructure Construction

UK has officially established the goal of "net zero emission" of greenhouse gases by 2050, put clean development at the core of modern industrial strategy, and is pushing to become a pioneer in coping with climate change from the birthplace of the industrial revolution. The sales of electric vehicles in the UK have increased significantly year by year. The government stipulates that new houses and other buildings must be equipped with charging piles. In the next four years, the UK will invest nearly £ 500 million in R & D and mass production of electric vehicle batteries, and set up £ 5 billion to support greener travel modes such as cycling, walking and public transport.

Photo source: baidu.com

According to the British green industrial revolution plan, the government will spend more than 12 billion pounds to support and create 250,000 high skilled green jobs across the country and attract more than three times the investment of the private sector by 2030. The plan is set up around the UK's advantageous industries, including the continued development of offshore wind power, the construction of the first town completely powered by hydrogen energy within a decade, the development of large-scale nuclear power plants and the next generation of small advanced nuclear reactors, making homes, schools and hospitals greener, cleaner, warm and energy-saving, and leading the development of global carbon capture, use and storage technologies.

Text source: gmw.cn

CEF Invests in EU’s Infrastructure Construction

In March 2021, the European Parliament and the European Council announced the approval of the European Commission's plan to connect Europe Fund (CEF) for 2021-2027, with a capital scale of 33.7 billion euros. Among them, 25.8 billion euros are used for European transport projects, 5.8 billion euros for cross-border renewable energy projects and 200 million euros for the construction of 5G network.

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CEF will provide financial support for key projects in the fields of transportation, energy and digital infrastructure in Europe. By focusing on the two objectives of "European Green Agreement" and "Digital Decade", CEF will support the dual transformation of green and digital in relevant industries and help achieve the strategic objectives of intelligent and sustainable transportation.

Text source: eu.mofcom.gov.cn

About China

China Merchants and Sri Lanka Hambantota Port Project

One belt one road initiative has been launched to activate port trade. China's shipping and port enterprises have frequently been participating in the stock market, construction, and directly acquiring international ports. Infrastructure construction, as a key area of "going out" foreign investment cooperation, has become a major opportunity for China to play an important role in the global governance and development process.

Photo source: xinhuanet.com

In 2017, China Merchants Port Holdings Co., Ltd. and the Sri Lankan government signed a franchise agreement for Hambantota Port, which officially came into force at the end of that year. In 2018, the annual cargo throughput of the port increased by 1.6 times over the previous year. Many enterprises, banks and agencies have successively set up offices or branches here. Since the joint venture of the company in hankang in December 2017, it has created 900 direct jobs opportunities and more than 2,000 indirect jobs opportunities.

Text source: cctv.com

New infrastructure of Building a Global 5G Demonstration City in Shenzhen

As one of the new engines of economic growth and high-quality development, Shenzhen has attached great importance to developing 5G new infrastructure, and has successively issued a number of key official documents, with the purpose of driving vigorous development of new technologies, new formats, new models and new consumption with new infrastructure. 

Photo source: ifutian.com.cn

The South Branch of China Academy of ICT has undertaken a number of new infrastructure support projects in Shenzhen, such as 5G acceptance, 5G base station energy consumption research, 5G spectrum share research, 5G network quality test, 5G network quality data platform development, 5G white paper preparation. It comprehensively supports Shenzhen to build a global 5G demonstration city.

Text source: 163.com

●  Background

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiated by the United Nations

On 1 January, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.