Greening China’s New Silk Roads

This timely book offers a critical account of key governance challenges of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Illustrating China’s efforts to expand its idea of a sustainable eco-civilization, thereby ‘greening’ the BRI, it explores the disputes that have emerged from this process and subsequent complications resulting from geopolitical competition. R. James Ferguson presents a critical analysis of China’s Green BRI, discussing the environmental impact of BRI corridors and its overall importance in harmonising the twin policy agendas of human development and environmental preservation. The author evaluates security and geopolitical challenges for the BRI in the context of China’s new globalism and emerging asymmetric co-governance. Demonstrating the need for improved governance of the BRI for a sustainability transition in global affairs, Ferguson suggests a range of strategies to compete with, complement or transform the BRI into a more multilaterized Green BRI. This cutting-edge book is crucial reading for academics and researchers in political science and international relations focusing on contemporary Chinese governance and the significance of sustainable development for the BRI. Its unique practical insights and policy recommendations will also benefit policy advisors and environmental organizations that are engaging with green governance issues.