Green Growth via Green Infrastructure Construction

Project Summary:

The objective of this grant is to provide the technical and capacity tools for countries, construction companies, and suppliers to build and implement green construction projects. This program will provide tools to improve government agencies (bank clients and others) capacity to design, contract and construct environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects. The first component of the program will support the development of IT tools to assist governmental infrastructure projects by enhancing real-time sustainable project management. The IT tools will track a project’s environmental, health and safety (EHS) project data, along with performance, compliance and risks. This information will support the tracking of project results and enhance real-time decision-making.  The tools will provide a simple automated system approach for construction contractors, health and safety supervision, and inspectors to monitor performance.  It will include components for field supervision such as checklists, monitoring, results documentation and tracking.  Data monitoring will provide such tools as project tracking and EHS reporting that will be web-based and downloadable to individual computers, smart phones and laptops.  Once developed and tested, these IT tools will be disseminated and deployed across other World Bank projects.  

The second component of the program will be the development and implementation of a series of e-learning courses and subsequent capacity building activities for governmental agencies, the construction industry, SME’s and local workers and product/service providers associated with World Bank finance projects.  The individual e-courses will address key aspects of green infrastructure design (such as integrating environmental sustainability into infrastructure design), construction (green construction jobs and service providers, environmental sustainability management etc.), and sustainable infrastructure procurement.  

The third component will identify materials, technologies and equipment (MTE) that can lead to more sustainable infrastructure development in low and middle-income countries.  Key MTE solutions will be compiled and disseminated on the already established Knowledge Platform on Environmentally Sustainable Infrastructure Construction (KPESIC) site and will promote knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange.  

List of Activities:

1. IT Tools for Sustainable Infrastructure Management - Preparation and implementation of WB lending operations/projects, Fostering or developing new innovation approach
2. Capacity building on Green Infrastructure Design and Construction and Sustainable Infrastructure Procurement - Institutionalization of knowledge, Change in government expenditure or investments 
3. Materials, Technologies and Equipment - Institutionalization of knowledge

Outcomes:

Output 1:

• Improved environmental sustainability management in WB infrastructure lending operations/projects 

Output 2:

• Institutionalization of knowledge
• Dissemination of best practices
• Greater consideration of GG in procurement

Output 3:

• Institutionalization of knowledge

Outcomes

• Improved efficiency:  The work includes the development and implementation in Bank financed projects of IT tools that will not only provide improved efficiencies, but also results, in terms of enhancing environmental sustainability (hence green growth). These improved efficiencies will be found both in governmental agencies, and their respective construction and supervision contractors. Given the tools and capacity building (e.g., e-learning) is planned to be free, there should be additional similar efficiencies in entities associated with non-bank financed projects. Environmentally sustainable infrastructure development provides for proper management of environmental, social and health and safety impacts and risks; facilitates compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements in a more efficient manner; and helps establish conditions for more effective resolution to social and environmental problems.
• Greater resilience:  The work directly supports enhancing sustainable infrastructure, which not only enables sound economic development, job creation and the purchase of local goods and services, it also enhances quality of life for citizens, increases positive impacts (benefits), helps protect our vital natural resources and environment, and promotes a more effective and efficient use of financial resources. Financial and economic benefits can result from improved sustainability such as reduced use of materials, improved pollution prevention, reduced carbon emissions, payment for environmental services, and better labor and community relations. 
• Increased competitiveness: The program will develop capacity building and IT tools that will lead to improved infrastructure environmental sustainability, but also competitiveness in developing countries such as via the use of sustainable procurement process and better management of EHS financial risks. Environmental sustainability can also improve the prospects for the financing of projects.

Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:

• Dowa Engineering Company
• Busan Transportation Company
• Korean Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI)
• The Ministry of Environment
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
• Knowledge Platform on Environmentally Sustainable Infrastructure Construction
• Federation of Interamerican Construction Industry (FIIC)
• Pan American Union of Engineering Associations (UPADI)
• ILO - green construction program and international sustainable procurement initiatives of UNOPS and the EU Environmental Procurement Program