General
How development banks are scaling sustainable infrastructure to close the global investment gap
From floods to blackouts, the pressure to build climate-ready infrastructure is growing. Development banks are stepping in to bridge the finance gap — but can they move fast enough?
Development banks are playing a growing role in addressing global infrastructure shortfalls. With climate shocks intensifying and public budgets under strain, institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are stepping in to co-finance resilient, sustainable projects.
“We’ve financed over $60 billion covering about 40 countries,” said AIIB President Jin Liqun, noting a focus on energy, transport, and digital infrastructure.
Experts say long-term capital and cross-sector partnerships are essential. “We must move from billions to trillions,” Brazil’s Vice Minister Tatiana Rosito stressed.
The challenge now is aligning investment with equity — especially in regions most vulnerable to climate change yet least responsible for it.
