Organisational Update
2025 in perspective: driving sustainable infrastructure amid global shifts
December 23, 2025
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As we close the chapter on 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year that has been both inspiring and sobering. At Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation (GIB), we have always believed that sustainable infrastructure is more than a technical challenge—it is a human imperative. This year has reminded us that progress is possible, but it is never guaranteed.
Despite global turbulence, GIB has continued to move forward with purpose. We have deepened partnerships, accelerated innovation, and worked tirelessly to ensure that infrastructure serves communities, not just economies. From convening global leaders to empowering young voices, 2025 was a year of action. More then 80 projects (24bn+ USD) earned a FAST-Infra Self-Assessed Label, driving new levels of transparency and resilience. Through the S2Cities Programme, 537organisations and 10,883 young people engaged since programme launch shaping their urban futures, proving that innovation starts with inclusion. And with the publication of the White Paper “Improved financial performance of sustainable infrastructure in the context of climate change”, we have helped trigger debate and support discussion at a time when clarity and leadership are urgently needed.
These milestones are not just numbers—they represent important steps towards improving lives, protecting ecosystems, and opening pathways for a more sustainable future through infrastructure.
2025 has been a year of contrasts. On one hand, there were encouraging signals. COP30 in Belém brought renewed focus on adaptation finance, tripling commitments to $120 billion annually[1], and launched initiatives such as the Tropical Forest Forever Facility[2]. The European Union sets 90% emission cut by 2040[3], and China’s CO₂emissions began to plateau[4]—a critical turning point.
Yet, the broader picture remains challenging. Global emissions hit 38.1gigatonnes[5] of CO2-e, a record high, and the world is still on track for a >2°C temperature rise, far from the 1.5°C ambition. The AI boom has introduced new climate risks, with data centres projected to triple energy demand by 2030, consuming up to 12% of U.S. electricity and adding 24–44 million tonnes of CO₂ annually[6]. Geopolitical conflict, including in Gasa and Russia’s war in Ukraine, have led to surging military budgets, and have diverted resources from sustainable infrastructure. Military spending reached $2.7 trillion this year—nine times the annual climate finance target[7]. In the United States, climate policy rollbacks have created a leadership vacuum at a critical moment. Globally, the scale down of ODA funding has led to a shrinking pie and gruesome triaging of important life-changing initiatives.
For governments, investors, and philanthropic partners alike, these trends are not abstract—they shape the choices we make every day. They remind us that the cost of inaction is not theoretical; it is measured in lost lives,shattered communities, and billions in economic damage.
Consider this: the global protection gap—the difference between insured and uninsured losses—now exceeds $1.8 trillion annually, with 90% of disaster losses in developing countries uninsured[8]. Every extreme weather event deepens inequality and erodes resilience.Meanwhile, adaptation finance, even after COP30’s commitments, remains far below the estimated $300 billion per year[9] needed to protect vulnerable communities.
Contrast this with the surge in military spending and the resources flowing into technologies that increase emissions rather than reduce them. The AI revolution, while transformative, is projected to consume 1 billion cubic metres of water annually for cooling data centres by 2030[10]. These numbers tell a story: the world is investing heavily in security and innovation—but not always in ways that secure our collective future.
Adaptation is no longer optional; it is existential. At GIB, we see resilience as the thread that ties these priorities together. From parametric insurance models to nature-based solutions, the tools exist—we need the will to deploy them at scale. Every pound invested in resilience yields fourfold benefits, and this is a message we must amplify.
Insurance is emerging as a cornerstone of climate-smart infrastructure.It is not just about transferring risk; it is about incentivising better design, embedding resilience, and unlocking finance for projects that protect lives and livelihoods. This is where philanthropy and finance converge—and where GIB is proud to play a catalytic role.
Despite the challenges, there is momentum. Many entities are stepping up, with foundations committing billions to climate adaptation and resilience;many important financial institutions are integrating sustainability into their portfolios; and innovative instruments—from green bonds to blended finance—are scaling faster than ever. Technology, while a source of risk, is also a source of hope: AI can optimise energy grids, predict climate impacts, and accelerate decarbonisation if deployed responsibly.
At GIB, we believe the next decade will be defined by collaboration. No single actor—government, investor, or foundation—can solve these challenges alone. But together, we can align capital, policy, and innovation to deliver infrastructure that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
As we step into 2026, the question is not whether we can build and upgrade sustainable infrastructure—it is whether we can do so fast enough, and fairly enough, to meet the needs of people and planet. GIB Foundation will continue to champion transparency, innovation, and collaboration. But we cannot do it alone.
To our partners in philanthropy, finance, and policy: thank you for walking this path with us. Let us double down on what works, challenge what does not, and keep our eyes on the horizon. The next decade will define our future. Together, we can make sure it is a future worth building.
[1] https://www.wri.org/insights/tripling-adaptation-finance-goal
[5] https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2025/November/Global-Carbon-Budget-2025
[6] https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-and-ai
[7] https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165809
[9] https://www.wri.org/insights/ncqg-climate-finance-goals-explained
