As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable development, a spotlight falls on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a mammoth bilateral initiative that has been a subject of both praise and criticism. In the midst of debates surrounding its environmental impact, one cannot help but wonder: Can CPEC be a catalyst for a greener and more sustainable future for Pakistan? Despite recent concerns about environmental degradation in the country, the answer may surprisingly lie in the potential of China’s commitment to cleaner energy initiatives.
Pakistan faces an escalating environmental crisis, with the nation being among the top ten most vulnerable to climate change. Irregular rainfall, heatwaves, droughts and glacier-melting are visible signs of the environmental challenges haunting the country. Natural resource degradation, pollution and climate change stand as formidable barriers to sustainable economic growth, with environmental degradation already costing an estimated six percent of GDP per year.
Officially launched in 2015, CPEC aims to modernize Pakistan’s energy and transportation sectors. However, historical neglect of environmental sustainability has plagued the corridor. From exploiting non-renewable resources to inadequate enforcement of environmental and social safeguard policies, the environmental challenges have been seemingly sidelined. If left unaddressed, these issues could jeopardize the very economic growth CPEC was designed to foster.
One of the critical concerns surrounding CPEC is its reliance on coal power, a major contributor to carbon emissions. With nearly half of the proposed energy-generation projects using coal, questions arise about the corridor’s commitment to its environment-friendly rhetoric. The Thar Coal Power Plant, despite addressing immediate power shortages, brings with it a host of external costs, from water pollution to air pollution and long-term ecosystem damage. The risk of locking Pakistan into a carbon-intensive future is a stark reality that cannot be ignored.
China’s acknowledgment of the need for cleaner energy is a positive step, particularly in the context of CPEC. As a major BRI project, greening CPEC could serve as a beacon for the broader policies China aspires to uphold. While skepticism persists regarding ongoing coal-power projects, there are promising signs. Reports indicate a decline in fossil fuel financing within CPEC and a simultaneous increase in investment in renewable energies, particularly hydropower, with a total capacity exceeding 3,600 Megawatts.
China’s global leadership in wind and solar energy production provides a beacon of hope for a greener CPEC. The nation’s commitment to halting new coal-power projects aligns with the global call for sustainable energy solutions. Leveraging China’s capacity for renewable energy developments and projects could be instrumental in steering CPEC towards a more environmentally sustainable trajectory.
As CPEC unfolds, it is evident that both China and Pakistan are eager to engage in clean energy cooperation for the benefit of Pakistan’s energy security and sustainability. However, practical challenges remain. Formulating guidelines for a green investment project roadmap is essential to address the environmental and social risks associated with CPEC investments.
Aligning with global energy governance principles and the Paris Agreement, China can play a vital role in shaping CPEC into a model for environmentally responsible infrastructure development. Simultaneously, Pakistan must remove policy barriers hindering the acceleration of renewable energy adoption and establish comprehensive frameworks for environmental and socio-economic safeguards within CPEC projects.
The establishment of low-carbon Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC and the adoption of green/eco-policies can further cement the commitment to sustainability. Green freight transport policies, natural capital accounting and climate mitigation policies should be integral components of this transformation. With the combined efforts of both nations, CPEC has the potential to be a positive force for change, leading the way towards a greener, more resilient future for Pakistan.
—Owner and Chief Digital Office, Pakistan Observer.
views expressed are writer’s own.
