Mapping Environmental Risks and Socio-Economic Benefits of Planned Transport Infrastructure - Grid IP
Mapping Environmental Risks and Socio-Economic Benefits of Planned Transport Infrastructure
Overview
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) conducted a global analysis of planned, large-scale road and rail infrastructure to assess potential environmental risks and socio-economic benefits. Using spatial data, the study identifies where new transport projects overlap with biodiversity and ecosystem services, and analyze the economic and employment benefits.
Why It Matters
UNEP’s findings highlight the scale of potential biodiversity loss, ecosystem service disruption, and climate risk if projects are not carefully planned. At the same time, the analysis shows where infrastructure could support economic development and improve access to services if risks are identified and mitigated early.
Key Insight
“We cannot be without infrastructure, but we can and must ensure better planning of infrastructure given the associated multi-faceted environmental risks as outlined in this study,” note the authors. “Our world is facing dual climate and biodiversity crises and we need to tackle these in an integrated way across all sectors and with coordinated policy engagement.”
Who It’s For
This foundational resource is for policymakers, planners, investors, engineers, and researchers seeking spatial evidence to inform early-stage transportation planning and investment decisions.
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