Uncovering Pakistan's Environmental Risks and Remedies under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a journey towards economic integration of Eurasia. The CPEC contains US$62 billion investment projects on energy, infrastructure, and other development projects in Pakistan. However, CPEC could enhance climate change vulnerabilities for the faltering economy of Pakistan due to its three possible environmental risks and repercussions. Its major environmental concern is related to energy projects as three quarters of the newly planned energy will be generated from traditional coal-fired power plants. Traditional coal power plants are the major contributors to CO2 emissions and smog, which ultimately lead to global warming and climate change. Its second important environmental concern is linked with massive tree cutting for the construction of various road networks from Kashghar, China, to Gwadar, Pakistan. Tree cutting leads to enormous concentration of CO2 emissions along the road networks. Vehicle trafficking is its third important environmental threat. Karakorum highway is expected to carry up to 7000 trucks per day that will release up to 36.5 million tons of CO2. Despite all the environmental risks, the CPEC enables Pakistan to manage energy crisis and upgrade aging infrastructure. However, if appropriate remedial measures are not taken to diminish environmental risks, Pakistan will be among major contributors to CO2 emissions, and its rank will be worsen in global climate risk index, after completion of this project. Therefore, it is very crucial to assess possible environmental impacts of CPEC projects regarding energy, infrastructure, and transportation. Furthermore, scientists from both countries should collaborate to manage the environmental repercussions of CPEC projects.