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
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to examine the environmental implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in relation to its economic potential. The focus is on assessing the environmental consequences of CPEC projects across various regions of Pakistan.
- Environmental impact assessment of CPEC projects.
- Analysis of specific projects and their environmental consequences (e.g., coal-based power plants, port development).
- Examination of the northern section of the CPEC and its impact on the mountainous regions.
- Discussion of proposed solutions to mitigate environmental problems.
- Comparison of economic benefits versus environmental costs of the CPEC.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction and overview: This chapter introduces the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), highlighting its geopolitical significance and China's aim to become a global economic and political power. It emphasizes the BRI's goal of connecting countries along its trade routes to China's sphere of influence. The chapter specifically focuses on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a case study for examining the environmental implications of BRI projects, differentiating between the land and maritime silk roads and noting India's exclusion due to geopolitical factors.
2. Environmental implications in the northern section: This section delves into the environmental consequences of the CPEC's northern section, situated between the Khunjerab Pass and Islamabad. The chapter analyzes the impact of the CPEC's construction on the ecologically sensitive Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges, focusing on the areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces. It likely examines the effects of infrastructure development on the landscape, water resources, and biodiversity of this region. The text suggests a detailed analysis through the use of figures related to the Karakoram Highway and environmental impact assessment.
Keywords
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), environmental impact assessment, infrastructure development, Karakoram Highway, coal-based power plants, port development, desalination, air pollution, sustainable development.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of this academic text about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)?
This term paper examines the environmental implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in relation to its economic potential. It aims to assess the environmental consequences of CPEC projects across various regions of Pakistan.
What are the key objectives outlined in the text?
The objectives include: Conducting an environmental impact assessment of CPEC projects; analyzing specific projects and their environmental consequences (e.g., coal-based power plants, port development); examining the northern section of the CPEC and its impact on the mountainous regions; discussing proposed solutions to mitigate environmental problems; and comparing economic benefits versus environmental costs of the CPEC.
What does Chapter 1 cover?
Chapter 1 introduces the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), highlighting its geopolitical significance and China's aim to become a global economic and political power. It emphasizes the BRI's goal of connecting countries along its trade routes to China's sphere of influence. The chapter specifically focuses on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a case study for examining the environmental implications of BRI projects, differentiating between the land and maritime silk roads and noting India's exclusion due to geopolitical factors.
What is the focus of Chapter 2?
Chapter 2 delves into the environmental consequences of the CPEC's northern section, situated between the Khunjerab Pass and Islamabad. It analyzes the impact of the CPEC's construction on the ecologically sensitive Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges, focusing on the areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces. It likely examines the effects of infrastructure development on the landscape, water resources, and biodiversity of this region. The text suggests a detailed analysis through the use of figures related to the Karakoram Highway and environmental impact assessment.
What keywords are associated with this text?
The keywords associated with this text include: Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), environmental impact assessment, infrastructure development, Karakoram Highway, coal-based power plants, port development, desalination, air pollution, and sustainable development.
What specific projects are mentioned as potentially having environmental implications?
Coal-based power plants and port development are specifically mentioned as projects within the CPEC that may have significant environmental consequences.
What proposed solutions are discussed in relation to mitigating environmental problems?
The text mentions a "debate on artificial rain in Lahore as a solution against air pollution" as a potential mitigation strategy, although it's presented as a subject of debate.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2024, Assessing Environmental Implications of the Belt and Road Initiative, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1591923
