Belem (Brazil), Nov 17 (NationPress) Investing in resilient infrastructure has the potential to reduce GDP losses caused by disasters by up to 50% from now until 2050, according to a new model presented on Monday at the ongoing COP30 by the New Delhi-based Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

The CDRI has examined the extensive economic impacts of climate-related disasters across a representative group of eight climate-vulnerable nations: Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, and the Philippines.

Key findings reveal that disruptions in infrastructure account for 80% of disaster-related losses in these nations; the real economic costs of infrastructure failures can exceed physical damages by over seven times; without immediate investment, annual GDP losses could reach 14.5% in Bangladesh and 12.9% in the Philippines by 2050, with the average loss increasing from 5.2% to 7.4% percent.

With up to $800 billion in infrastructure assets at risk from disasters each year and 14% of global GDP growth in jeopardy, enhancing resilience now can protect economies.

According to the report, following a disaster, reconstruction over a decade can reduce long-term GDP losses from more than seven percent to merely three percent, while completing recovery in only four years can lower this further to slightly over two percent.

Further research from CDRI indicates that constructing disaster-resilient infrastructure increases project costs by just five to fifteen percent, yet yields returns that are seven to twelve times greater.

The report includes results from a CDRI global survey of business leaders, showing that 61% of infrastructure firms allocate less than 10% of their budgets to resilience, while 24% allocate nothing at all.

The survey highlighted that the lack of dedicated budgets hinders early-stage preparedness and limits proactive measures to strengthen infrastructure before disasters strike.

Much of the infrastructure required globally by 2050 remains to be constructed. As trillions are mobilized to create this next-generation infrastructure, CDRI urges governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to prioritize resilience as a fundamental standard.

In response to the report, CDRI Director General Amit Prothi stated: “Resilient infrastructure is a catalyst for sustainable growth. Every dollar invested in resilience pays for itself many times over, safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and public finances. The time is now to integrate resilience into national planning and policy to ensure future prosperity.”