ABSTRACT
Construction of infrastructure for connectivity in Belt and Road economies is a fundamental goal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Environmental degradation and climate change have become a major concern throughout the world. Whether the BRI can be carried out in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way has attracted considerable international attention. China’s emphasis on sustainability for the BRI is unprecedented in the narratives of Beijing on development. This indicates a change of circumstance and of understanding of the relationship between sustainability and development. These changes are deeply rooted in the circumstances of China’s economic development and reflect the international strategies China has been taking. Sustainability has created an opportunity for China to raise its international profile and to solve its problems in development, rendering China a world leader in battling global climate change. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
