Sustainable infrastructure

Without sustainable infrastructure, sustainable development remains an empty promise. We support our partners around the world in rethinking fundamental systems – for the climate, environment and quality of life.

Our skills and expertise

Rethinking infrastructure

Making systems and structures resource-efficient, fair and fit for the future
Enabling climate targets

Facilitating climate goals with infrastructure that contributes to decarbonisation and climate change adaptation
Using resources efficiently

Integrating circular economy principles and water and waste management
Developing solutions together

Developing solutions jointly with partners from the fields of politics, business, science and academia and civil society

Energy for development

Mains electricity – still an unattainable luxury for many. As the climate crisis intensifies, the global energy transition presents an opportunity: clean energy for all, economic growth and climate action in one.

Green hydrogen

As the fuel of the future, green hydrogen can help where electricity is not a viable solution, such as in industry or heavy goods transport. We promote the establishment, use and partnerships for green hydrogen worldwide.

Circular economy

From waste problem to resource: we help cities and countries to avoid waste, recover recyclable materials and strengthen the circular economy – with ecological, social and economic impact.

Sustainable mining

The extraction of raw materials brings environmental and social risks. We advise on how companies and states can approach raw material extraction in an environmentally friendly and transparent way that benefits the population.

Water: the key to development

Water is essential to life, an economic factor and a human right. We promote water management, sanitation and resource protection – for a fair, climate-adapted water supply.

Mobility transition

With our ‘Avoid–Shift–Improve’ approach, we are committed to sustainable mobility: avoiding journeys, shifting modes of transport, improving technology. In this way, we support our partners in the expansion of environmentally friendly transport systems.

Insights

Background

Consumption too high, access too limited: the most important questions on the global water crisis

The world is overusing its water resources. At the same time, many people still do not have an adequate clean water supply. The 2026 UN Water Conference aims to find solutions. Answers to the most important questions on the water crisis:

Strong alliances and standards for all

Whether in climate action, disaster risk reduction or global standards, adopting a comprehensive approach to complex challenges achieves greater results. For this purpose, GIZ creates overarching structures, stable alliances and scalable solutions – and brings the right stakeholders together around the table.

Four people look at a technical device during a training session.

A global partner for strong markets

Access to new markets, fair trade, reliable supply chains and raw materials networks: how countries worldwide, local people and German and European businesses benefit from GIZ’s work.