In the summer of 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project was announced by the nuclear power China (a territory of 9.597 km²), which broadly aimed to connect China with 65 other countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa through infrastructure investment and economic development. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship segment of BRI, was declared an energy infrastructural project that has become a future economic potential for both countries that will connect Pakistan and China. This game-changer project will boost trade and enhance economic cooperation in Pakistan and in regional states. No doubt, on the one hand, the economic corridor is a blessing for both countries in terms of the economy, while, on the other hand, it poses a dire threat to the environment of the entire region. According to the German Watch Report of the Long-term Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan —a homeland for 225 million, is ranked the 8th most vulnerable country to climate change. A risk-prone country, Pakistan, is already at the brink of a climate crisis as it is facing rapid onset and long-term changes in climate parameters and its impacts on people, the environment, local fauna, and flora. Unfortunately, Pakistan already has a terrible history of environmental challenges; flash floods, unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, heat waves, and droughts are some examples of its vulnerability. 

With mammoth economic benefits, there are alarming threats to the environment of Pakistan. Climate change has always happened on Earth, which has been witnessed in geological records. The pace and intensity of climate change are a huge concern for every country, individually and collectively. The coal-based energy power plants, aggressive fossil fuel use, additional infrastructure, broad industrial zones, and a vast network of roads and railway construction have raised manifold environmental concerns.

First, the environmental concern is related to energy production under the umbrella of CPEC. Nineteen energy projects worth USD 32 million have been allocated to encounter an energy crisis in Pakistan. Nearly half of the proposed CPEC energy project has been based on traditional Coal-fired Power stations that contradict the eco-friendly and Green Pakistan agenda. Additionally, many coal projects are consuming a great deal of coal, meaning domestic coal reserves will be tapped. Moreover, coal has high sulfur and ash content that is harmful to the atmosphere. Keeping the climate change mounting vulnerability in view, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, announced the closure of 2 coal-based power plants under the CPEC project at the Climate Summit 2021 to strengthen the aims of Clean and Green Pakistan. 

Secondly, constructing a broad network of roads and railway frameworks poses a threat to the environment. Many fruit and non-fruit trees are chopped down to build roads and railway lines. It is required to plant eight trees as reparation for one uprooted plant. Rapid cut down of trees affects the biodiversity and ecosystem of the areas from the areas crossing paths. Deforestation leads to the accumulation of enormous concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere, affecting the natural carbon sinks. A full-grown tree can absorb 21.7 kg of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, deforestation destabilizes the average Earth temperature equilibrium and causes soil erosion and extreme flooding. Moreover, the roads and railway lines will pass through the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which will tremendously impact the ecology, flora and fauna's natural habitat, and environmental sustainability.

Thirdly, vehicle trafficking is another environmental concern under the CPEC project. Old aged Heavy Duty Trucks (HDTs) are employed to transport goods in Pakistan with no vehicular emission standard. The carbon emission of these trucks deteriorates the air quality and triggers climate change. According to recent studies, after completion of the Karakorum Trade highway Phase 2, the highway will carry 7000 trucks per day that will collectively emit 36.5 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide that may contribute to escalating global warming and worsening air quality. Furthermore, carbon dioxide emitted by diesel-based fuel has a long life cycle and egregiously affects the climate. 

To cope with the threats mentioned above, scientific and eco-friendly climate change abatement solutions are required. Firstly, the deployment of algal bloom and the installation of CO2 scrubbers can help mitigate unacceptable climate change. It will be an effective source of biofuel production on a massive scale— it can be utilized by 7000 trucks per day. Additionally, the construction of wetlands outside power plants is mandatory for agricultural runoff that will decrease the eutrophication of freshwater water reservoirs and help combat climate change. Also, it can provide an option to reuse the water. Lastly, afforestation in other parts of Pakistan and China will be appreciable. According to a study in 2019, planting 1 trillion trees can store up to 2.25 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is two-thirds of the total CO2 emission by anthropogenic activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution (1760-1820). 

The adverse outcomes outweigh the positive impacts of the CPEC project in Pakistan. Guy McPherson, an American scientist, is of view, "If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while counting your money." So, it marks the high time to adopt eco-friendly and scientific solutions to overcome the climate challenge along with reducing fossil fuel consumption and adopting renewable energy resources. What will be the world's future if we reduce fossil fuel consumption and adopt eco-friendly methods to abate climate change?