Green Balochistan under CPEC Phase 2.0

Ostensibly, climate change is becoming a bigger threat than terrorism. In this regard, the Government of Balochistan in 2024 launched the Green Balochistan Initiative, allocating Rs. 10 billion. Balochistan faces rising temperatures, water scarcity and frequent heatwaves. A pertinent question remains: how can the Green Balochistan Initiative be further strengthened under CPEC Phase 2.0? The Green Corridor is a key cornerstone of CPEC 2.0, attributed to environmental protection and Sustainable Development Goals. Balochistan needs environmental protection and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Against this backdrop, China has emerged as a green tech superpower. It controls 90 per cent of rare earth processing, 94 per cent of permanent magnet production, 80 per cent of solar panel manufacturing and 70 per cent of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and production. Most importantly, China has been exporting 47 per cent of green tech to the Global South. The world is moving towards green tech because it has a lower marginal cost than fossil fuels, while EVs are economically more efficient. Hypothetically, CPEC Phase 2.0 could transform Balochistan’s peripheral areas into Pakistan’s green energy hub by leveraging China’s ascendancy in renewable technologies. As mentioned in the previous piece, the province possesses more than 11.77 million acres of land, equal in area to Switzerland, which so far remains uncultivated. Balochistan has the highest irradiation zone. Unlike other provinces, many parts of Balochistan witness 300 sunny days in a year. The 11.77 million acres of land in the province are a blessing in disguise, turning it into a hub for solar energy under CPEC Phase 2.0. China under CPEC has already supported the province. In Gwadar, 5,000 households received solar systems. Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, termed home solar systems a major step toward renewable energy in Balochistan. Promoting local manufacturing of batteries, p