Sustainable infrastructure development plays a pivotal role in safeguarding biodiversity and the natural environment. Impact of infrastructure development is extremely project and site specific. The expansion of linear transport infrastructure, such as roads and railways, has far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and the natural environment. It leads to landscape fragmentation, disrupting ecological connectivity—the unimpeded movement of species and natural processes.

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“Disruption results in habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss, while also creating physical barriers that impede wildlife movement and ecological flows. Moreover, infrastructure development contributes to pollution, the spread of invasive species and changes in hydrology, affecting endemic species. Even sustainability oriented initiatives such as wind-turbines may kill airborne animals like birds and bats, including many protected species. This in turn has consequences across the food chain and can wreak lasting damage on ecosystems.”

Juanita Olano Marín

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The FAST-Infra Label stipulates rigorous standards for the Protection and Enhancement of Biodiversity & the Natural Environment in infrastructure projects and strictly prohibits adverse impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. To abide by the FAST-Infra Label Framework, projects operating in or near critical habitats must adhere to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Key Biodiversity Area Business Guidelines, and conduct a IFC standard Critical Habitat Assessment for projects in internationally and nationally recognized biodiversity-rich areas. Furthermore, project site selection and design must prioritise ecological connectivity to ensure a positive contribution to biodiversity and the natural environment. 

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‍Singapore's Park Connector Network is one such positive example. Singapore is a densely populated urban environment with limited space for nature. However, the city-state has made significant efforts to integrate green infrastructure into its urban landscape. The Park Connector Network is a system of walking and cycling paths that connect parks, nature reserves, and green spaces throughout Singapore. These connectors often incorporate wildlife-friendly features such as bird hides and wetland restoration. This network enhances biodiversity by creating green corridors that allow wildlife to move freely between fragmented habitats. It also provides recreational opportunities for residents and reduces urban heat island effects. Singapore's green initiatives have resulted in a more sustainable and liveable city.

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Similarly, the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Malaysia, is home to rich biodiversity, including orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys. However, agricultural expansion and logging threatened the wildlife habitat. The Sabah government, along with conservation organisations, established the Kinabatangan Corridor of Life Initiative. This project involved reforesting and connecting fragmented habitats to create a continuous wildlife corridor. By restoring and preserving vital wildlife corridors, the initiative has allowed species to move freely between isolated forest patches, increasing genetic diversity and ensuring the long-term survival of endangered species. Additionally, it has promoted eco-tourism, benefiting local communities economically.

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“We are in a moment where the construction and development sector is beginning to be conscious of the multifaceted impact of infrastructure projects. The FAST-Infra label hopes to provide confidence in the impact of assets on the natural environment by providing a simple, practical framework to communicate credentials. It is a landmark initiative to build a bridge between the private infrastructure development sector and experts in conservation and biodiversity.  By doing so, we can build a sustainable future where infrastructure harmonizes with nature rather than disrupts it.”

Juanita Olano Marín

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Sustainable infrastructure development is a global imperative. Decision-makers, planners and infrastructure developers must strike a delicate balance between the socio-economic benefits of infrastructure and the vital need to not only preserve healthy ecosystems, ecological connectivity, and biodiversity but also achieve both financial and the physical resilience around infrastructure assets. 

Explore the FAST-Infra Label framework here.

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With Inputs from

Juanita Olano Marín
Consultant for biodiversity for infrastructure 
Global Infrastructure Basel (GIB) Foundation