The Green Belt & Road Initiative

JSP
May 29
3 min read

Introduction

Since its inception in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a cornerstone of China’s global development strategy, mobilizing trillions in infrastructure investments across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. While the BRI has catalyzed connectivity and trade, it has also drawn criticism for environmental degradation, carbon-intensive projects, and lack of transparency.

In response, China launched the Green Belt and Road Initiative (Green BRI) — a commitment to ensuring that future BRI investments are environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and climate-conscious.

What Is the Green BRI?

The Green BRI is a policy framework and set of principles aimed at greening the BRI’s footprint through:

Low-carbon infrastructure and renewable energy
Sustainable financing and ESG integration
Biodiversity and ecosystem protection
Green technology and innovation transfers
International cooperation on climate change

The goal is to align BRI investments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, reflecting China’s evolving role in global climate governance.

Key Milestones in the Green BRI Agenda

2017 – Launch of the “Guidance on Promoting Green Belt and Road” by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
2019 – Formation of the BRI International Green Development Coalition (BRIGC), including UN agencies, think tanks, and NGOs.
2021 – President Xi Jinping announced China would stop building new coal-fired power plants abroad — a major policy shift.
2023 – Release of the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for BRI, integrating climate risk disclosure and ESG standards for financial institutions.

Green BRI in Action: Trends and Examples

Shift Toward Renewable Energy

BRI energy investment is transitioning from coal and fossil fuels to solar, wind, hydropower, and clean energy grids. For example:

In Uzbekistan, China is supporting utility-scale solar farms.
In Pakistan, hydro and wind projects under the CPEC umbrella are expanding.
Chinese firms are building energy storage and smart grid systems in Africa.

Greening Transport Infrastructure

New BRI railways and ports are being designed with lower carbon footprints, electric systems, and environmental safeguards. This includes:

Electrified railway corridors in Southeast Asia.
Eco-friendly urban metro systems in Egypt and Bangladesh.

Sustainable Finance Tools

Institutions like the China Development Bank and AIIB are incorporating green bonds, climate risk assessments, and social impact reviews into project financing.

Cross-Border Environmental Cooperation

Projects now include joint environmental monitoring, wildlife protection corridors, and shared water resource management — particularly in ecologically sensitive regions such as the Mekong River Basin and Central Asia.

Challenges to Implementation

Despite progress, several barriers persist:

Lack of consistent environmental standards across host countries.
Greenwashing risks, where projects are labeled “green” without measurable climate or biodiversity benefits.
Insufficient transparency in environmental impact assessments and procurement.
Limited enforcement mechanisms for environmental safeguards once projects begin.

The Role of the Private Sector

Private investors, banks, and developers play a critical role in scaling up the Green BRI. Companies engaged in BRI projects are increasingly expected to:

Conduct ESG due diligence
Publish sustainability reports
Adhere to international green finance principles
Commit to net-zero goals and carbon disclosures

Collaborative platforms like the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road help align public-private interests in sustainability.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Green BRI

As global momentum builds around climate resilience, clean energy, and sustainable development, the Green BRI will be a key testing ground for China’s climate diplomacy and leadership. Its success will depend on:

Scaling up green finance
Embedding ESG standards in all BRI sectors
Enhancing multilateral partnerships
Ensuring that local communities benefit equitably

Ultimately, a truly Green BRI could shift the narrative — from one of environmental risk to one of global climate opportunity.

Conclusion

The Green Belt and Road Initiative represents a pivotal evolution in how large-scale infrastructure and investment programs intersect with the planet’s ecological limits. With sustained commitment, innovation, and accountability, it has the potential to redefine how emerging markets grow — cleaner, greener, and more inclusive.