China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Environmental Security Challenges: Policy Responses

Abstract

Pakistan is highly at risk due to its fragile climate, which requires immediate attention when developing infrastructure along the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a prominent project of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the Chinese government. This study focuses on environmental security risks arising from major CPEC projects, including coal-fired power generation, expansion of transportation systems, deforestation, changes in land use, and lax enforcement of regulations. The qualitative research design approach was undertaken using secondary data, including peer-reviewed articles, policy documents from relevant governments, environmental legislation, and reports on the development challenges facing CPEC for the period 2015 to 2025. The research is carried out from a perspective of both green politics and environmental security and seeks to connect the varied and sometimes contradictory stakes in corridor governance in the economic sphere. The results indicate that it is not development per se that is the root of the issue, but rather a lack of integration between the environmental assessment, monitoring, and enforcement processes in project planning and implementation. The article thus recommends that the implementation of EIA be tightened, that alternative uses of clean energy be promoted, that monitoring at the project level be strengthened, and that ecological governance by communities be strengthened for a greener CPEC.