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China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an ongoing mega development project which aims to connect Gwadar port of Pakistan to China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang via a network of highways, railways and pipelines. The economic corridor is considered central to China-Pakistan relations and is stretched over 2700 km from Gwadar to Kashghar. CPEC is expected to be a strategic game changer for the region that aims to make Pakistan an economically viable and business-friendly country. Investments under CPEC in the power generation and distribution sectors are providing a momentous boost to the economy. Moreover, several large-scale investments in infrastructure and industrial growth activities are currently in-progress, which are expected to further fasten the targeted economic growth of the country. CPEC portfolio has economic and strategic importance both for China and Pakistan. Besides the economic gains for this mega development project, the government of Pakistan may also envision the development of CPEC on the principles of Chinese eco-civilization concept and make this project a pilot model of eco-civilization for Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) countries.
What is basically eco-civilization and how can the CPEC be turned into a model for eco-civilization? The concept of eco-civilization is embedded in the ancient Chinese philosophy, wisdom, and culture. Eco-civilization is a comprehensive concept for a systematic understanding of the relationship between humanity and nature. According to Chinese philosophy, the relationship between human and nature should be harmonious and in unity. The idea was first echoed in 2007 and was included in the report of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). In 2012, the 18th National Congress of the CPC put forwarded the eco-civilization concept into the national strategy and integrated it with the overall development of the Chinese economy, politics, society and culture. In 2015, the 13th five year plan (2016-2020) incorporated the concept as an important strategy to deal with the environmental protection and ecological conservation.
The basic target of eco-civilization remains reversal of the ecological deterioration from the source, creating a good environment for production and living, and making contribution to international ecological safety. It follows the principles of resource conservation, environmental protection, and giving priority to natural restoration of ecology. Under the concept of eco-civilization, the goals are achieved by promoting green development, recycling activities, and low-carbon and resilient development. It also requires forming a spatial pattern and industrial structure that is based on resource saving and environmental protection. Eco-civilization is not a theoretical concept rather a practical milestone that is being followed by China and has shown signs of progression as well. To achieve the targets under the concept, China has focused on energy development and prevention and control of air and water pollution. It has developed and implemented the policies of elimination of outdated industrial units, enhanced pollutant discharge controls, adjusted industrial structures from the root and decreased pollutant discharge, increased green investment, promote environmental governance and develop environment-friendly industrial zones. These policies and measures of China have been successful so far. The environment-friendly industrial set ups have generated revenues as well. China has become a leading exporter of the renewable products. Pilot projects for carbon trading were launched, outdated industrial units were closed; and all these efforts recorded a decrease in air and water pollution. The zeal for eco-civilization does not stops here, rather China now envisions to turn the strategy from a national to an international canvas and aims to achieve sustainable development and a harmonious world through eco-civilization.
CPEC also needs to be developed in an environmentally sustainable and ecologically conversant manner. Pakistan should keep its skies blue and land green. The initial 1+4 portfolio of CPEC promises rapid development into the areas of energy, infrastructure development, industrial cooperation, and development of Gwadar. Yet this rapid development is also raising some concerns on the environment and climate change front. Environmental effects of CPEC projects may include spatial and temporal dimensions and biotic and abiotic components as well. In addition, other indirect impacts may also be occurred to habitats and ecosystems caused by the footprint of some connecting activities. Large scale projects under CPEC may lead to disturbance in the soil conditions as well. Moreover, energy projects may result in higher greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). CPEC routes pass through the populous areas of the country, and a deterioration in air quality may also occur in these areas. Thus a number of environmental concerns are being raised on CPEC portfolio. The solution to all such problems may be explored under the basic principles of eco-civilization. The basic components of eco-civilization like low carbon development, decreasing pollution, protecting nature and promoting ecological conservation may mitigate many of the potential environmental impacts of CPEC.
CPEC is the flagship project of BRI of China, and when it comes to turning the CPEC as a model of eco- civilization, Gwadar can rightly serve as a flagship of BRI, as it has the impetus to be developed in an ecologically civilized manner and can serve as role model for other projects being developed and executed under BRI. The need of the hour is to adopt eco-civilization concept as a national strategy in Pakistan for innovative, concerted, green, open and inclusive development. Since Gwadar is being developed into a smart port city under CPEC and its master plan is under preparation as well, this is the right time to pitch in elements of eco civilization including creation of ecological values, strengthening ecological education and establishing ecological conscientiousness and citizenship. The application of eco-civilization is developing dynamically in China based on the practical experiences made with the new policy approaches. Pakistan, in this regard, can also learn from Chinese experiences and develop CPEC and specifically Gwadar as a flagship of eco-civilization. This will not only ensure environmental sustainability and ecological conservation of CPEC portfolio but will also enable Pakistan to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). The recent steps such as 10-billion tree plantation campaign, is an excellent move by the present government to increase greenery in the country. More such initiatives, in line with the vision of eco-civilization, can bring additional fruitful results for Pakistan and may create a win-win situation both on the economic and the humanity forefronts.
