Corridor pivotal in promoting green development in Pakistan, experts say

ISLAMABAD — The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, has been playing a pivotal role in promoting green development in Pakistan, highlighting China's commitment to harmony between humans and nature, Pakistani officials and experts say.

Romina Khurshid Alam, convener of Pakistan's National Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals, said collaboration between the two neighbors under the CPEC in energy, transport, agriculture and industrial production has helped Pakistan boost green, low-carbon sustainable development.

In addition to helping Pakistan tackle the energy crisis and promoting infrastructure upgrading through the CPEC, Chinese companies in Pakistan have strictly adhered to international and local standards on safety and environmental protection, Alam said.

In proceeding with infrastructure projects, ecological factors have been fully considered, and a number of green and clean energy projects including solar, wind and hydropower have been completed in Pakistan in the past few years, reducing carbon emissions, contributing to economic development and environmental protection, and helping improve the living standards of locals, Alam said.

Citing the example of the recently completed 720-megawatt Karot hydropower project, Alam said a comprehensive biodiversity management plan was developed for construction and operational stages of the project to protect the environment, including wildlife around the project site.

Pakistan and China have stepped up their collaboration in green energy for the benefit of the region under the CPEC, helping Pakistan mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, said Hassan Daud Butt, senior adviser at the China Study Center of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, a think tank in Islamabad.

"Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, ... facing the worst climate-induced catastrophic floods recently. As the CPEC is making progress, it can help the country to tackle the climate change issue by increasing investment in renewable energy, green building construction, decreasing energy loss, and innovative practices such as green finance and other measures."

Calling the CPEC a game changer and a green corridor, Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, chief executive officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Islamabad, said the flagship project of the BRI is a people-centric, environmentally friendly, inclusive and green and sustainable initiative.

China has been using new technologies and investing in BRI countries to support green development. Pakistan can learn from the Chinese experience and technology to realize its vision of high-quality green and sustainable development, Ramay said.

"The CPEC has changed the landscape of Pakistan and has accelerated growth while bringing about socioeconomic benefits for the people of Pakistan. ... China's commitment to promoting carbon-free global economy is commendable."

Xinhua