Global Policy Statement Calls for Urgent Action on Sustainable Infrastructure to Meet Climate and Development Goals
A coalition of young engineering professionals and built environment organisations has released a new policy statement urging governments, financial institutions, and development partners to radically transform infrastructure systems to meet the demands of a climate-resilient, equitable, and sustainable future. The statement titled Joint Call for COP30: Holistic Action for Sustainable Infrastructure was launched at the official United Nations COP30 Side Event “Financing a Resilient Built Environment: Solutions for Infrastructure, Housing & Informal Settlements” that was held on 14 November 2025.
The built environment is critical to climate resilience, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Yet, despite growing awareness of climate risks and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, current systems remain fragmented, underfunded, and vulnerable to climate risks, leaving many communities without essential services such as clean water, sanitation, energy, and transportation.
This policy statement outlines priority action areas and recommendations derived from youth-led consultations and global climate expertise. It urges alignment of infrastructure development with sustainable and cost-effective pathways that support economic growth, accelerate implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the UNFCCC, and build the skills and competencies needed for a just transition.
The policy statement is co-signed by World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), Commonwealth Engineers’ Council (CEC), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI), and the Engineering Leadership Group (ELG) – some of the leading organisations across the buildings and infrastructure sector – and is freely accessible to the public. The full statement can be accessed here.
The policy statement will form the basis of the work of the WFEO Young Engineers / Future Leaders Working Group on Climate Action over the coming year, with the aim to advocate for implementation with partners across the sector. We welcome all expressions of interest to partner with us in transforming the future of infrastructure.
This is more than a call to reform infrastructure, it is a call to reimagine it. By centering equity, resilience and systems thinking, we can build systems that not only withstand climate shocks but uplift communities. The future is being engineered now, and it must be built to last.
The WFEO Young Engineers / Future Leaders Working Group on Climate Action, part of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, advocates for youth involvement in policy-making and fosters international collaboration to advance sustainable development. WFEO is the global organization for the engineering profession. Founded in 1968, under the auspices of UNESCO, WFEO brings together national engineering institutions from some 100 nations and represents more than 30 million engineers.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a 97,000-strong global membership organisation with more than 200 years of history. It is a centre of engineering excellence, qualifying engineers and helping them maintain lifelong competence, assuring society that the infrastructure they create is safe, dependable and well designed. Its network of experts offers trusted,impartial advice to politicians and decision makers on how to build and adapt infrastructure to create a more sustainable world.
The Commonwealth Engineers’ Council (CEC) is an official Commonwealth Accredited organisation whose aim is to advance the science, art and practice of engineering for the benefit of humankind. CEC Membership is open to all engineering institutions and societies across the 56 countries of the Commonwealth. Engineering is at the heart of social and economic development and as engineers we recognise our responsibility and the importance of working closely with other professions and with the engineering community at large.
The International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) is the global movement for engineering action on infrastructure sustainability, resilience, and climate change. ICSI brings together a global coalition of change agents from across the engineering, investment, city, and philanthropic communities committed to bold action to solve the systemic problems that exist at the intersection of climate change, ecosystem degradation, ageing infrastructure, and underinvestment. Built upon a commitment to tangible and collaborative action, ICSI continues to broaden participation across stakeholder communities to accelerate the innovation, adoption and scaling of people-centred, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure solutions that support sustainable development for all.
The Engineering Leadership Group (ELG) brings together professional engineering services companies seeking to engage the highest levels of government on behalf of the engineering sector. ELG members engage directly into G7, G20 and UNFCCC processes, influencing the direction of policy on sustainable infrastructure and systemic resilience to climate change and other shocks and stressors.
For more information:
The Joint Call for COP30: Holistic Action for Sustainable Infrastructure
NOV
2025