Nicolas Pinaud, deputy director of the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), highlighted the importance of resilient infrastructure and the requirement to rethink construction methods, especially in urban areas, to address the current challenges of climate change. He shared these insights in an exclusive interview for the G20 Brasil website.
Scorching summers and devastating floods are increasingly common worldwide. Developing adaptable infrastructure to withstand varying regional conditions is crucial for responding to these adverse climate events.
In an exclusive interview with the G20 Brasil website, OECD Deputy Director Nicolas Pinaud addressed the concept of resilient infrastructure and the importance of rethinking construction methods, especially in urban areas, to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
The OCDE is an international organization dedicated to developing policies that promote prosperity, equity, and well-being. Through collaboration with policymakers and citizens, it establishes evidence-based international standards to address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Since the 1990s, Brasil has been a key partner of the OECD, playing a significant role in its expansion across Latin America and the Caribbean. From 2019 to 2022, Brasil co-chaired the OECD Latin America & the Caribbean Regional Programme (LACRP).
Read the interview.
What does it mean to have resilient infrastructure?
Climate-resilient infrastructure refers to systems designed to withstand extreme climate events, such as hurricanes and coastal floods. This infrastructure absorbs the impact of these disasters, ensuring economic continuity and enabling communities to recover swiftly.
Is resilient infrastructure a response to the challenge of climate change?
Infrastructure resilient to climate change is designed to adapt to the effects of a changing climate rather than to mitigate those effects. While efforts to tackle climate change focus on reducing carbon emissions and other forms of mitigation, adaptation becomes essential as some climate changes are unavoidable. Therefore, it is crucial to develop infrastructure that is resilient and resistant to climate change, and substantial investment must be made in this area.
What role does the G20 play in fostering cooperation among countries to develop these infrastructures and address climate change?
The G20 plays a critical role in this effort. It first helps establish a common understanding of climate change challenges, particularly how infrastructure can be adjusted and adapted. This shared understanding is essential for coordinated action.
Additionally, the G20 facilitates the development of policy solutions by enabling member countries to collaborate closely with international organizations such as the OECD, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. By sharing policy responses and best practices and consolidating analytical knowledge, the G20 helps define effective policies to address these challenges.
