The belt and road initiative is a geopolitical project implemented by the government of the People’s Republic of China. It focusses on infrastructural projects supported by China along its planned trade routes. The Belt and Road initiative is one of the most important measurements to make China an economic and political world power. (Atilgan & Ertl, 2018) In a geopolitical disputed world, it aims at linking economically and politically countries along the Belt and Road initiative’s trade routes to China’s influence.
The Belt and Road initiative includes several economic corridors aiming at connecting China with the majority of the countries in Asia and Europe. There is a difference between the maritime and the land silk road. The maritime silk road connects China via the Indian ocean, the red sea and the Mediterranean Sea with Europe. The land silk road contains several economic corridors from China to southeast Asia, to Pakistan, to the middle east, to Russia and to Europe.
India is a member of the Asian infrastructure Bank, but due to political issues and geopolitical interests, it opposes rather China’s Belt and Road initiative, so it’s de facto mostly excluded from its infrastructural and economical projects. As a major political and economic power in South Asia, India tries to remain independent from the Belt and Road initiative and to launch own economic projects. (Khurana, 2019)
In this term paper I will focus on the environmental impacts of the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) as a part of the Belt and Road initiative.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and overview
2. Environmental implications in the northern section
3. Coal based projects of the CPEC and their environmental implications
4. Port of Gwadar and desalination plant
5. Debate on artificial rain in Lahore as a solution against air pollution
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the environmental implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a constituent part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative, specifically analyzing how infrastructural development interacts with ecological sustainability in Pakistan.
- Environmental impact of road construction and vehicle emissions in the northern regions.
- Consequences of coal-based energy projects on Pakistan's climate change vulnerability.
- Ecological challenges associated with desalination infrastructure in Gwadar.
- Effectiveness of technical interventions like artificial rain in mitigating urban air pollution.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Environmental implications in the northern section
The northern section of the CPEC is considered to be situated between the Chinese border at the Khunjerab pass (4693 m.a.s.l.) and the capital city of Pakistan Islamabad. It crosses the administrative territory of Gilgit Baltistan and the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The northern section is mostly located in the Karakoram and Himalayan Mountain ranges. From the Khunjerab pass, it follows the Khunjerab river, Hunza river, Gilgit river and finally the Indus River until the town of Thakot from where the Hazara motorway leads until Islamabad. The northern section of the CPEC is also known under the name of Karakoram highway.
A major environmental impact of the CPEC in the northern section is the presence of vehicle emissions along the Karakoram highway. Typical pollutants emitted by trucks are carbon monoxide CO, hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Studies showed that HDT caused emissions in Islamabad were 2-20 higher than the Pak-II standard and that the emission of CO, HC, NOx and CO2 increased with the rising altitude. (Shaikh, et al., 2022) As the Karakoram Highway, particularly between Sost and Tashkorgan is situated in a high altitude, this fact has a special significance in this area.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction and overview: Provides a geopolitical context of the Belt and Road Initiative and defines the scope of focusing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
2. Environmental implications in the northern section: Analyzes the ecological changes, vehicle emissions, and waste management challenges occurring along the Karakoram Highway.
3. Coal based projects of the CPEC and their environmental implications: Discusses the energy demands of the CPEC and the resulting environmental burden of implementing coal-fired power plants.
4. Port of Gwadar and desalination plant: Explores the tension between economic necessity and environmental degradation caused by water infrastructure in an arid coastal region.
5. Debate on artificial rain in Lahore as a solution against air pollution: Evaluates the feasibility and limitations of using cloud seeding as a short-term remedy for severe urban air pollution.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the conflict between the potential economic rise provided by the CPEC and the insufficient attention paid to its long-term environmental consequences.
Keywords
Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC, Karakoram Highway, environmental impact, carbon emissions, coal-based energy, desalination, water scarcity, Gwadar, air pollution, artificial rain, cloud seeding, biodiversity, Gilgit-Baltistan, sustainable development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on assessing the various environmental impacts generated by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) across different regions of Pakistan.
What are the central thematic areas of the study?
The study covers highway infrastructure in northern Pakistan, coal-based power generation, water desalination in Gwadar, and air pollution management in Lahore.
What is the main objective of the research?
The goal is to analyze the environmental consequences of CPEC-related projects and weigh them against the anticipated economic opportunities for Pakistan.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The paper employs a comprehensive literature review and document analysis, drawing on recent environmental impact assessments, scientific studies, and governmental project data.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
It covers the impacts of road construction, the shift towards coal energy, the technical and environmental aspects of desalination, and the evaluation of cloud seeding for air quality improvement.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include CPEC, environmental degradation, infrastructure development, energy portfolio, air pollution, and sustainable development.
Why is the northern section of the CPEC environmentally sensitive?
It is sensitive due to its location in the fragile Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, where road construction leads to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and waste accumulation.
Is artificial rain an effective solution for air pollution in Lahore?
No, the paper concludes it is only a short-term, expensive measure that does not address the root causes of pollution; therefore, it is not a sustainable solution.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2024, Assessing Environmental Implications of the Belt and Road Initiative, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1591923
