2025/04/14 by Abdul Waheed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Thomas B. Fischer · 1 voice · 7 citations
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Belt and Road Initiative #Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East #International Development and Aid
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/1523908x.2025.2490265
openalex publication_date 2025/04/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
Due to a lack of consistent policy coordination and a failure to support coherent planning goals, climate-resilient, and environmentally friendly development is a governance challenge in many developing countries. This paper offers an assessment of policy coherence (PC) across key cooperative areas in the context of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan, which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). A content document analysis approach based on an integrated environmental governance evaluation framework is applied. It is found that the sectoral policies of energy, agriculture, and industry sectors —as well as climate and environmental policies—largely overlook the CPEC framework, while the CPEC plan itself lacks sufficient integration of environmental, climate change (CC), sectoral PC considerations, including comprehensive accountability and transparency policy measures. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that a cross-sectoral coordination body is needed to ensure effective PC among the CPEC plan, Pakistan’s sectoral policies, environmental, and CC governance. With regards to the BRI overall, there is a need for PC between participating nations. This entails aligning national policies, safeguarding integrated development goals, and applying inclusive approaches for mutual benefits and regional stability.