9. Innovation & Infrastructure

Investments in infrastructure – transport, irrigation, energy and information and communication technology – are crucial to achieving sustainable development and empowering communities in many countries. It has long been recognised that growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education outcomes require investment in infrastructure.

Inclusive and sustainable industrial development is the primary source of income generation, allows for rapid and sustained increases in living standards for all people, and provides the technological solutions to environmentally sound industrialisation.

Technological progress is the foundation of efforts to achieve environmental objectives, such as increased resource and energy-efficiency. Without technology and innovation, industrialisation will not happen, and without industrialisation, development will not happen.

• Basic infrastructure like roads, information and communication technologies, sanitation, electrical power and water remains scarce in many developing countries
• About 2.6 billion people in the developing world are facing difficulties in accessing electricity full time
• 2.5 billion people worldwide lack access to basic sanitation and almost 800 million people lack access to water, many hundreds of millions of them in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia
• 1-1.5 billion people do not have access to reliable phone services
• Quality infrastructure is positively related to the achievement of social, economic and political goals
• Inadequate infrastructure leads to a lack of access to markets, jobs, information and training, creating a major barrier to doing business
• Undeveloped infrastructures limits access to health care and education
• In countries where data are available, the number of people employed in renewable energy sectors is presently around 2.3 million. Because of strong rising interest in energy alternatives, the possible total employment for renewables by 2030 is 20 million jobs
• Least developed countries have immense potential for industrialisation in food and beverages (agro-industry), and textiles and garments, with good prospects for sustained employment generation and higher productivity
• Middle-income countries can benefit from entering the basic and fabricated metals industries, which offer a range of products facing rapidly growing international demand
• In developing countries, barely 30 per cent of agricultural production undergoes industrial processing. In high-income countries, 98 per cent is processed. This suggests that there are great opportunities for developing countries in agribusiness

• Develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.

• Provide small businesses with access to credit and technical support for their development.

• Ensure the companies promote sustainable development and do not harm the environment.

• Allocate resources for research to address that country’s specific needs and improve technology.

• Ensure all have access to the internet and new technologies, especially those living in least developed countries.