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Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. Vol. 22, No. 1 (2025), pp. 1-21.
doi: 10.36922/ajwep.8483

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Promoting sustainable development goals
through the Chinese concept of eco-civilization: A

Delphi study of priority areas in the China–Pakistan

Economic Corridor

Kalsoom Sumra , Hamza Iftikhar , Qudrattullah Omerkhel * , and
2
1
3
Humayra Siddique 4
1 Department of Management Sciences, Faculty of Business Administration, COMSATS University Islamabad,
Islamabad, Pakistan
2 Department of Government and Public Policy, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Science
and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
3 Department of Information System, Faculty of Computer Science, Kabul Education University, Kabul, Afghanistan
4 Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Riphah International University,
Islamabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: Qudrattullah Omerkhel (Qudrattulla@keu.edu.af)

Received: January 10, 2025; Revised: February 8, 2025; Accepted: February 11, 2025; Published Online: February 28, 2025

Abstract: The concept of eco-civilization, or “shengtai wenming jianshe” in Chinese, emerged in academic
circles in the 1980s and was officially adopted by the Chinese Communist Party in 2007. This concept
highlights the profound harm human activities inflicted on nature, climate, and biodiversity. Given the global
environmental challenges posed by human actions and economic activities, it is crucial to promote ecological
civilization universally. This paper aims to uncover the key aspects of eco-civilization to address challenges
related to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major project under the Belt and Road Initiative.
It emphasizes aligning CPEC with green development goals to support sustainable economic progress in
Pakistan and China. The study employs semi-structured interviews, a modified four-round Delphi method,
and calculates a priority index. The research population includes climate experts, scholars, researchers,
academics, policymakers, industrialists, and environmentalists from both countries, providing valuable
insights into eco-civilization. Using an iterative approach with continuous feedback informing each round of
the Delphi technique allows for systematic conceptualization, evaluation, and ranking of factors to develop
a comprehensive priority index. The findings emphasize the necessity of embedding ecological principles
in regional development strategies to maximize CPEC’s contribution to the United Nations’ sustainable
development goals. By promoting ecological harmony, resilience, and sustainability, this research offers a
strategic framework for leveraging CPEC as a model for sustainable development that could positively impact
neighboring regions and global communities.
Keywords: Eco-civilization; China–Pakistan Economic Corridor; Green development; Sustainable development
goals; Ecology; Climate change

Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.8483