Pioneering a Green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) alignment between China and other members: mapping BRI's sustainability plan

Abstract

Abstract This study is the first attempt to explore the green development alignments between China and other BRI countries. It maps and presents the green agendas practiced in BRI countries by 2017 before exploring on the ground practices of China-led physical developments in these countries. 2017 is marked as the year China pledged to promote a greener BRI. This is achieved by examining how China's green BRI agenda and infrastructure development projects were undertaken in different partner countries. By doing so, we sought to identify gaps and opportunities for pursuing green developments across and through the BRI. The findings from this study contribute to the overall debate and exploration of sustainable development of BRI.