Evaluating the Efficiency of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in CPEC Infrastructure Development

Abstract

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has significantly transformed Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy sector, and regional connectivity. However, the large-scale nature of CPEC projects raises critical environmental concerns, making Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) a key regulatory and planning tool for sustainable development. This study evaluates the efficiency of EIAs in CPEC infrastructure development by examining regulatory frameworks, implementation practices, mitigation effectiveness, and stakeholder participation. Under Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Act (1997), EIAs are mandatory for mega infrastructure projects, aiming to minimize environmental damage and support sustainability goals. Existing studies indicate mixed outcomes. While EIAs are designed to identify environmental risks and propose mitigation strategies, empirical assessments reveal performance gaps. For instance, research using an EIA Index for CPEC road projects recorded a low performance score (0.47), suggesting weak mitigation planning, monitoring, and environmental management practices. Additionally, concerns related to deforestation, increased carbon emissions from coal-based energy projects, and rising vehicular emissions highlight limitations in environmental oversight. The study argues that although EIAs provide an essential framework for environmental governance in CPEC, their effectiveness is constrained by implementation weaknesses, monitoring gaps, and limited institutional coordination. Strengthening regulatory enforcement, improving technical capacity, enhancing public participation, and integrating strategic environmental assessments can improve EIA efficiency. The research contributes to policy discussions on sustainable infrastructure governance and environmental accountability in transnational mega-development projects.