The greening of municipal infrastructure investments: technical assistance, instruments, and city champions

Abstract

Cities in developing countries are faced with unique problems due to climate change, internal migration and general population growth. Urban population growth brings with it many benefits, but in cash-constrained municipalities this can be particularly problematic as the financial resources cannot keep pace with municipal infrastructure needs or environmentally-responsible decision-making. The confluence of these factors has widened the infrastructure finance gap in cities in developing countries and has made municipal leaders recognize the need to expand the variety of mechanisms available to help to close the infrastructure finance gap. However, in many cities, the commitment to green principles is driven by donors and external agencies, not from a deep appreciation of best practices for green principles or even the desire to make a city more climate resilient. This paper argues that the most effective way to institutionalise green practices within a city is not through a specially-dedicated environmental strategy but rather through a more well-established champion: the city's treasurer or chief financial officer.