Alice Yiu, Head of Advocacy and Outreach at the International Road Federation (IRF), joined a panel to mark the launch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development (GRID) Integrated Program – a major new initiative to help ensure the world’s rapidly expanding transportation systems work for both people and nature.

Transport and biodiversity are often approached through different lenses, with their own methods, metrics and decision-making processes. Bridging these perspectives will be essential as infrastructure systems continue to expand.

This calls for bringing biodiversity considerations earlier into planning and connecting them more directly to how projects are designed, appraised and delivered. It also means demonstrating how nature-based solutions can support outcomes that matter for transport systems, including safety, resilience and long-term performance.

The launch comes at a critical moment to better align transportation infrastructure with the needs of people and nature.

Read the insights from the GRID Launch Event, originally published by GRID:

On March 12, 2026, GRID convened a diverse group of stakeholders in Washington, DC, and online to explore how to advance ecologically sustainable and climate-resilient approaches to transportation infrastructure.

The event marked the official launch of GRID, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded program led by World Wildlife Fund, implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and UN Environment Programme, and executed by national-level governments and partners in its five national projects in Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Suriname, and Ukraine. The program will develop a knowledge hub for compiling and sharing data and resources, connecting experts, creating and disseminating tools and training, and fostering research.

Five Takeaways From the Discussion

Here are the key themes that stood out at the event.

1. We’re at an inflection point.

The development of transportation infrastructure such as roads, railways, and ports is accelerating, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Against the backdrop of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, these trends underscore a simple reality: business-as-usual approaches to infrastructure planning and design are no longer sufficient. This is an opportunity for governments, engineers, planners, civil society, financiers, and other key infrastructure practitioners to work together to positively shape communities and ecosystems in the decades to come.

2. The biggest leverage point is upstream.

The greatest opportunity for impact occurs long before construction begins. Too often, biodiversity enters the conversation too late—after plans are set, financing is secured, and environmental harm is locked in. With the right policies, planning tools, and financing in place, countries can design transportation systems that work for both people and nature.

3. Nature and people thrive together.

Species are integral parts of ecosystems, serving essential functions such as pollination and the dispersal of seeds and nutrients. They also provide benefits to communities, including nutrition, tourism, legal trade, and cultural and religious importance. Without ecological connectivity and thriving species, ecosystems cannot provide critical services such as clean air and water, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. Allowing animals to move safely also improves public safety, including reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions on roads and lowering the risk of zoonotic diseases. When we consider nature in infrastructure development, both people and nature thrive.

4. Data will make a difference.

Reliable, accessible data are fundamental to better infrastructure decisions and policymaking. Information mapping species’ movements, infrastructure assets, and key ecosystem resources allows planners to identify opportunities and constraints. While a lot of great data exist, there are still gaps to fill.

5. Collaboration is the key to moving forward.

The infrastructure sector involves a wide range of stakeholders, from engineers and planners to biologists and NGOs to insurers and financiers to local communities. By working together, we can fill knowledge gaps and drive intelligent, informed solutions.

More Insights

Watch the full recorded livestream for more insights from a panel discussion and remarks by GRID partners.