Resilient by Nature: Can Nature Hold the Key to Disaster-Proof Infrastructure?

Disasters cause infrastructure-related losses of between $732 billion and $845 billion annually, with vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of these impacts, according to a recent report from an international organisation tasked with uplifting standards for critical infrastructure. Although the report does not address how the necessary funds will be secured to meet future challenges arising from projected shortfalls due to infrastructure failures, it highlights the critical role of global collaboration and technology transfer. The 2024 G20 Compendium of Good Practices on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, released by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in November 2024, offers hope by sharing global lessons, enabling innovative solutions, and emphasising Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) to minimise costs and maximise disaster preparedness impacts during the commissioning of new infrastructure.

Introduction

In November 2024, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) released the G20 Compendium of Good Practices on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, a landmark report showcasing 52 global case studies on innovative solutions for infrastructure resilience. The report estimates annual infrastructure-related losses between $732 billion and $845 billion, approximately 14% of global GDP growth, underscoring the critical need for scalable, cost-effective solutions.

The report emphasises the importance of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in mitigating disaster risks while addressing environmental challenges. It highlights the need for two-way knowledge transfer between Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and developed nations to ensure globally relevant, locally adapted solutions. This article explores five impactful case studies, demonstrating how NbS is driving progress in countries like Mexico, the Philippines, India, and Bangladesh.

International Case Studies

1. Floating Solar Power in Mexico

Key innovations: Solar panels installed on water bodies reduce evaporation while generating renewable energy. The hybrid system ensures continuous power generation by integrating solar and hydroelectric sources.

Testing in real conditions: During the 2023 hurricane season, the floating solar system maintained energy production despite high winds and heavy rainfall, proving its resilience and water conservation benefits.

Two-way knowledge transfer: For countries like Kenya, which face similar energy deficits and water scarcity, this technology could be adapted to local contexts. Conversely, Kenya’s experiences with community-led solar projects could offer insights to Mexico, emphasising low-cost, scalable deployment models.

2. Community-Based Mangrove Management in the Philippines

Key innovations: Community-led efforts focus on replanting and preserving mangroves, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern techniques. Mangroves protect coastal areas from storm surges and support fisheries, enhancing food security and livelihoods.

Testing in real conditions: During Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, mangrove forests significantly reduced storm surge damage in areas where they were intact, demonstrating their protective value.

Two-way knowledge transfer: The Philippines’ expertise in community-based mangrove restoration offers lessons for coastal regions like the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, while gaining insights from global studies on long-term mangrove maintenance.

3. Modernising Power Systems in Odisha, India

Key innovations: The Disaster Resource Inventory for Power Sector (DRIPS) toolkit streamlines disaster response by mapping critical resources. Real-time monitoring systems provide immediate feedback on infrastructure vulnerabilities, enabling rapid recovery.

Testing in real conditions: During Cyclone Fani in 2019, retrofitted substations and power lines withstood winds exceeding 200 km/h, while older systems suffered major damage. The upgrades allowed for the restoration of 90% of the grid within a week.

Two-way knowledge transfer: Countries like the Philippines, frequently impacted by typhoons, could benefit from India’s experiences with grid modernisation. In turn, the Philippines’ community-driven disaster response mechanisms could inform India’s strategies to improve local engagement in infrastructure resilience.

4. Coastal Resilience in Bangladesh

Key innovations: Mangroves dissipate wave energy, preventing coastal erosion and reducing storm surge impacts. Cyclone shelters serve as schools or community hubs during non-disaster periods, maximising their utility.

Testing in real conditions: During Cyclone Amphan in 2020, mangroves significantly mitigated storm surge damage, while shelters provided refuge for thousands. Early warning systems ensured timely evacuations, minimising casualties and property damage.

Two-way knowledge transfer: Bangladesh’s expertise in integrating NbS with engineering solutions offers valuable lessons for regions like the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Similarly, Vietnam’s advancements in floodplain restoration could further enhance Bangladesh’s coastal resilience strategies.

5. Integrated River Basin Management in Assam, India

Key innovations: Anti-erosion measures such as geobags and porcupines (similar to rock armouring and groynes in Australia) reinforce embankments, while upstream watershed restoration reduces flood intensity and sediment deposition downstream.

Testing in real conditions: During the annual monsoon season, these measures have significantly reduced embankment failures and protected vulnerable communities from catastrophic flooding.

Two-way knowledge transfer: Lessons from Assam’s river management can inform similar projects in countries like Nepal, where mountain rivers pose severe erosion and flooding risks. Conversely, Nepal’s participatory watershed management practices could enhance Assam’s community engagement.

Lessons Learned

The case studies highlight several lessons for building disaster-resilient infrastructure. These lessons demonstrate that collaboration, innovation, and community engagement are essential to achieving scalable, sustainable outcomes. By focusing on locally adapted solutions and leveraging the benefits of Nature-Based Solutions, global efforts can achieve both immediate and long-term resilience goals. Here is a summary:

1. Adapting technologies for local contexts: Floating solar systems, mangrove restoration, and anti-erosion measures highlight how combining advanced technologies with NbS can address region-specific challenges effectively. Tailoring solutions to local environmental and socio-economic conditions is critical for scalability and sustainability.
2. Efficient knowledge sharing: Two-way knowledge exchange ensures that local insights inform global strategies while advanced tools and technologies enhance local resilience. For instance, Bangladesh's expertise in integrating NbS with engineering solutions is invaluable for other delta regions facing similar climate challenges.
3. Community-led approaches: Engaging local stakeholders in planning and implementation ensures long-term success and sustainability. The mangrove management initiatives in the Philippines and Bangladesh demonstrate how community-driven efforts amplify resilience and generate co-benefits like livelihood security and food safety.
4. Scalability and flexibility: Solutions must be adaptable to local conditions while addressing broader, systemic challenges. For example, Assam’s integrated river basin management serves as a blueprint for flood and erosion control in similarly vulnerable regions such as Nepal or Myanmar.
5. Synergies between technologies and Nature-Based Solutions: The integration of technological innovations (e.g., floating solar systems) with NbS (e.g., mangrove restoration) delivers multiple co-benefits, such as biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and resource efficiency. These combined approaches demonstrate the power of synergy for scalable, sustainable impacts.

Financing Challenges and Opportunities

Investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure offers significant economic, environmental, and social benefits, with the potential to save lives, reduce economic losses, and foster sustainable development. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) highlights the "resilience dividend," which encompasses these wide-ranging advantages. Here are more details:

Economic Benefits

• Avoided Losses: Strengthening infrastructure resilience prevents asset losses and minimises service disruptions during disasters, thereby reducing economic setbacks.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Studies indicate that every dollar spent on disaster preparedness can save between $5 and $10 in economic losses from disasters.
• Increased Productivity: Resilient infrastructure ensures continuity of services and economic activities, reducing downtime and associated costs.

Environmental and Social Benefits

• Enhanced Public Services: Resilient infrastructure improves the quality and reliability of public services, contributing to better social development and well-being.
• Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Integrating NbS with traditional infrastructure enhances resilience to climate-related hazards. NbS also provide critical co-benefits, such as carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity, and improved ecosystem health. These solutions are sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional engineering approaches.

Cost of Inaction

• Economic Losses: The report underscores the urgent need for substantial investment in resilient infrastructure but does not provide specific guidance on securing the necessary funding. Addressing the $732 billion to $845 billion annual losses from infrastructure failures(cost of inaction) requires innovative financing strategies, including public-private partnerships and international collaborations. Nature-Based Solutions offer cost-effective alternatives that reduce both upfront costs and long-term maintenance expenses.
• Increased Vulnerability: Failing to adopt resilience measures leaves communities more vulnerable to disasters, leading to higher recovery costs, longer recovery periods, and greater social and economic instability.

Potential Costs of Enhancements

Investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure requires upfront capital for planning, construction, and technology adoption. However, these investments are often offset by:

• Reduced Disaster Recovery Costs: Investments reduce the need for extensive post-disaster reconstruction and emergency responses.
• Improved Economic Stability: Resilient infrastructure attracts private sector investment and supports long-term economic growth.

Conclusion

The 2024 CDRI report highlights that disaster-resilient infrastructure is both an urgent necessity and an achievable goal. The five case studies demonstrate how leveraging innovation, collaboration, and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can mitigate disaster risks, help support and empower communities, and contribute to climate adaptation goals.

The lessons presented underscore the importance of tailored solutions, community engagement, and two-way knowledge exchange. These practices provide a path toward minimising costs and maximising resilience impacts, offering hope for addressing critical challenges. For nations like Australia, active and ongoing participation in this global initiative is vital to build a sustainable and resilient future, and make a contribution globally.

Reference

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). (2024). G20 Compendium of Good Practices on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. New Delhi: CDRI. https://www.cdri.world/g20-drrwg

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