Library | ESG issues

Buildings & Infrastructure

Buildings and infrastructure include physical structures and systems such as commercial buildings, roads, and energy networks. Sustainable infrastructure focuses on optimising and retrofitting existing assets while developing new ones that integrate environmental stewardship, social equity, and sustainable design. Investing in infrastructure can support sustainable development and ensure that all people have access to safe, affordable, reliable, and high-quality infrastructure.

Refine
Resource type
Sustainable Finance Practices
ESG issues
SDGs
SASB Sustainability Sector
Finance relevance
Asset Class
Location
TAG
49 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16

GRI risk viewer

Oxford Programme for Sustainable Infrastructure Systems (OPSIS)
The Global Resilience Index (GRI) Risk Viewer provides global‑scale risk metrics across hazard, exposure and vulnerability to assess risks to people, planet and prosperity via open, publicly available datasets.
Online tool/database

Mobilising institutional capital towards the SDGs and a Just Transition

Impact Investing Institute
This report outlines pathways for mobilising institutional capital towards the Sustainable Development Goals and a Just Transition. It focuses on investment vehicles, emerging markets, and private asset classes, providing practical recommendations, case studies, and frameworks to integrate environmental, social, and community considerations into scalable, impactful financial strategies.
Research
17 December 2021

Interpreting the corporate standard for U.S. public sector organizations

World Resources Institute
This guide interprets the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard for U.S. public sector organisations. It provides standardised methods for accounting and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, supports inventory quality, and addresses public sector-specific scenarios such as leased assets, joint operations, and regulatory compliance.
Research
13 October 2010

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is a global network of 2,500+ cities, towns and regions across 125+ countries. It supports local governments with technical assistance, peer exchange and tools to accelerate climate action, sustainable urban development, biodiversity protection and resilient, equitable and circular outcomes.
Organisation
2 research items

Guidelines for quantifying GHG reductions from grid-connected electricity projects

World Resources Institute
These guidelines provide a standardised, policy-neutral framework for quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from grid-connected electricity projects. They cover both generation and electricity reduction activities, using simplified methods to estimate baseline emissions and avoided emissions. Intended for project developers and programme designers, the guidelines emphasise accuracy, transparency, and conservativeness.
Research
31 July 2007

Estimating and reporting the comparative emissions impacts of products

World Resources Institute
This report outlines a neutral framework for estimating and reporting the greenhouse gas impacts of products, both positive and negative. It advocates the use of consequential methods for decision-making, highlights methodological challenges in attributional approaches, and recommends transparency and completeness in emissions assessments and corporate reporting.
Research
23 March 2023

Policy and action standard: An accounting and reporting standard for estimating the greenhouse gas effects of policies and actions

World Resources Institute
The Policy and Action Standard provides a consistent framework for estimating and reporting the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of policies and actions. It outlines methods for ex-ante and ex-post assessments, defines principles of GHG accounting, and offers guidance on defining policy boundaries, estimating baseline emissions, and assessing uncertainty to support transparent, accurate decision-making.
Research
11 March 2015

Mitigation goal standard: An accounting and reporting standard for national and subnational greenhouse gas reduction goals

World Resources Institute
This report outlines a standardised framework for governments to design, assess, and report on greenhouse gas mitigation goals. It defines principles, methodologies, and accounting requirements to support consistent and transparent emissions tracking and goal evaluation at national and subnational levels.
Research
24 November 2016

Global protocol for community-scale greenhouse gas inventories: An accounting and reporting standard for cities version 1.1

World Resources Institute
The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Inventories (Version 1.1) provides a standardised framework for cities to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions. It enables consistent, transparent accounting across six sectors, including energy, transport, and waste, supporting emissions tracking, target setting, and aggregation with national inventories.
Research
6 October 2021

The greenhouse gas protocol: A corporate accounting and reporting standard

World Resources Institute
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard provides a framework for businesses to quantify and report greenhouse gas emissions. It establishes standardised accounting principles, categorises emissions by scope, and offers guidance for setting organisational and operational boundaries. The Standard promotes transparency, consistency, and comparability in corporate GHG inventories.
Research
13 April 2004

Nature positive: Leaders’ insights for the transition in cities

Oliver Wyman
The report outlines strategies and case studies from global cities integrating nature into urban development to address climate and biodiversity challenges. It highlights the importance of public-private collaboration, compact planning, and nature-based infrastructure in fostering resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. Solutions are scalable and grounded in real-world examples.
Research
11 November 2024

Addressing biodiversity risk and opportunity at PensionDanmark

Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)
PensionDanmark developed a biodiversity strategy targeting its real estate and infrastructure assets to mitigate nature loss. It employs data-led initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and nature-based solutions to protect and restore biodiversity, aligning with EU taxonomy and Science Based Targets for Nature. Implementation includes construction screening, sustainable sourcing, and performance monitoring.
Research
18 February 2025

International Council on Mining and Metals

Other Industry / Sector Specific Groups & Sponsored Organisations
​The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is a global leadership organisation dedicated to enhancing the mining and metals industry's contribution to sustainable development. ICMM brings together a third of the global industry, promoting ethical business practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Members commit to stringent Mining Principles, aiming for a safe, just, and sustainable world enabled by responsibly produced minerals and metals.
Organisation
1 research item

Australian Impact Investments (Aii)

Commercial Research Providers
Australian Impact Investments (Aii) is a specialist asset consulting firm dedicated to mobilising capital for positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. Established in 2014, Aii collaborates with charitable trusts, foundations, family offices, wealth advisors, and institutions, offering bespoke impact strategies, rigorous investment analysis, and comprehensive portfolio management. With a focus on responsible investing, Aii assists clients at every stage of their impact journey.
Organisation

Conservation investment blueprint: Environmental impact bond for green infrastructure - coastal resilience

This case study outlines the Environmental Impact Bond (EIB) model for funding coastal resilience projects. It focuses on Louisiana’s wetland restoration to mitigate storm damage and land loss. The EIB attracts private investment, enabling earlier project implementation, cost savings, and ecological benefits. It aligns financial incentives with conservation goals through performance-based returns.
Research
10 January 2019

Conservation investment blueprint: Environmental impact bond for green infrastructure

This blueprint details the application of Environmental Impact Bonds (EIBs) to finance green infrastructure projects. It illustrates how EIBs can be used to attract private investment to public infrastructure projects that offer significant environmental benefits, such as enhanced stormwater management and increased urban resilience. The document provides a framework for structuring these bonds to ensure both financial returns and positive environmental outcomes.
Research
10 January 2019
PREV
1 of 4
NEXT
Join or sign in to use Alma, Altiorem’s AI Agent. While the Altiorem library is free, Alma is exclusive to paying subscribers.