The environmental damage arising if developing nations reproduce the environmental mistakes of the developed nations is incalculably large. It is key that SSB practices are adopted as developing economies grow. There are many benefits within reach if SSB practice is adopted.

Environmental impact and emissions reduction

The near zero carbon emissions technologies for new buildings are available now. All new buildings could be self-sustaining. This would dramatically reduce the demand for new power stations, water supply, water treatment and waste management infrastructures, as they would in general only be needed for large industrial process plant or densely populated residential areas.

Cost reduction

The widespread specification of self-sustaining renewable technologies will stimulate world demand and prices will fall faster.

Faster development

Without the need to develop centralised infrastructure, building to developed nation standards can be started more quickly, through multiple small developments independent of energy and water infrastructure. As mobile phone technology has enabled telecommunications with only a light touch infrastructure, allowing rapid roll out, so SSBs can be rolled out far more quickly.

Less corruption

The development of energy and water infrastructures create opportunities for corruption. Corruption risk is significantly reduced by SSB.

Overcoming legal limitations in peri-urban slums

In many peri-urban slums the provision of electricity and water supply is prevented by landowners as, under local jurisdiction, the installation of service infrastructure is deemed to be granting land rights.

Enabling the basics in peri-urban and rural development

The use of small-scale renewable technologies can provide a small quantity of energy for light and for powering electrical equipment including water purification:

• Light enables children to study in the hours of darkness.
• Water purification reduces disease.
• Water conservation and recycling reduces the frequency of water collection.
• Fridges reduce food and medicine waste.
• Laptops aid learning and, with Internet links, transform communication.

 Financing SSBs and renewable technologies

SSB projects provide genuine fully accountable carbon saving projects with indisputable additionally. They would qualify for Global Environment Facility, Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation Funding. Micro-finance bank loans or leasing secured on the equipment may be used for small-scale technologies. SSB’s Urban Village project is working on these issues.

Integrating development efforts

There are many organisations aiming to provide good housing and other buildings to meet development needs. There are many sources of funds and government initiatives with the same final aim. There are many self-sustaining structures and technologies available. The SSB Programme for International Development aims to integrate appropriate organisations into teams that deliver self-sustaining building projects.

Millennium Development Goals

See how SSB practices address all Millennium Development Goals.