ABSTRACT
The Belt and Road Initiative is bound to have substantial impacts on environmental and social conditions in many areas of Eurasia. The pro-development bias endorsed by the main proponents of the initiative has raised concerns that it may overlook sustainability. The Belt and Road Initiative’s capacity to stimulate development patterns in tune with nature, society and culture will largely depend on how sustainability will be framed and incorporated in relevant decision making. This chapter intends to contribute to our understanding of progress made and challenges ahead in ensuring sustainability to BRI, by appraising the environmental and social policies applicable to projects funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
