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CPEC and eco civilization in SDGs

as a separate entity but as an integral part of societal issues like climate change (SDG 13), sustainable cities
development, dialectical materialism provides a holistic (SDG 11), and life on land (SDG 15). However,
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approach to ecological sustainability. This perspective compared to eco-models in countries like South Korea
is particularly evident in China’s ecological civilization and Japan, which emphasize ecological sustainability,
strategy, which combines Confucian philosophy with China’s model leans heavily toward social and economic
modern environmental policy to foster a harmonious goals, creating potential policy gaps. Other countries
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coexistence between humans and nature. 15 such as the European Union and Scandinavia have been
James O’Connor’s capitalism, nature, and socialism advancing their green development strategies, focusing
further enrich this discourse by identifying the dual on renewable energy transition, carbon neutrality, and
crises of capitalism: economic and ecological. His sustainable agriculture. The European Green Deal,
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work emphasizes the interdependence of ecological for instance, is a comprehensive policy framework
degradation and social inequality, arguing that resolving designed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and
environmental crises requires addressing systemic promotes green innovation and sustainability. 18
injustices within capitalist structures. This theory Globally, innovative eco-models are making
resonates with contemporary environmental challenges, strides in combating extreme climate challenges.
advocating for integrated approaches that combine For instance, Denmark’s “Energy Island” initiative
ecological restoration with social equity. 14 promotes renewable energy via offshore wind farms,
A deeper exploration of ecological civilization directly addressing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean
reveals its philosophical alignment with the concept Energy). Meanwhile, South Korea’s “Green New
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of social-ecological transformation, which advocates Deal” integrates ecological sustainability with digital
for a radical rethinking of humanity’s relationship with innovation, advancing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation,
nature. This perspective critiques the anthropocentric and Infrastructure) and SDG 13. These models starkly
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tendencies of industrial civilization and promotes a contrast with China’s strategies, which focus on
biocentric worldview, wherein all forms of life are incremental improvements in industrial sustainability,
seen as interconnected and equally valuable. Drawing such as eco-industrial parks and circular economy
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on the work of eco-philosophers such as Murray models. Despite progress, China’s approach often
Bookchin, this approach underscores the inseparability faces regional disparities in implementing SDG-linked
of social justice and ecological sustainability, framing targets, particularly in western provinces.
environmental crises as reflections of hierarchical and Moreover, eco-models such as the European
exploitative societal structures. 15 Union’s “Circular Economy Action Plan” and Japan’s
Finally, the notion of ecological civilization has “Sustainable City Program” emphasize reducing
roots in Soviet-era ecological culture, which sought ecological footprints through technology, recycling,
to balance human progress with environmental and waste reduction. These initiatives have outpaced
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stewardship. This framework has been reinterpreted in China’s industrial ecology model, which remains nascent
China as part of its “Ecological Civilization” initiative, despite its potential. However, Japan and South Korea’s
which aims to align socialist development with global success is not purely due to market-driven factors
environmental goals. By embedding ecological values but strong government intervention, technological
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into governance, this model reflects a unique Confucian investment, and international cooperation, achieving
harmony between humans and nature, alongside modern reduced ecological footprints alongside economic
ecological imperatives, offering a robust theoretical growth. China’s policies, although ambitious in
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foundation for achieving sustainable development. 14 addressing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,
Together, these theories collectively provide a rich have yet to demonstrate similar success in decoupling
intellectual foundation for understanding and advancing economic growth from environmental harm. 19
ecological civilization, emphasizing the need for systemic Another noteworthy comparison can be drawn
transformation to ensure the long-term sustainability of with innovative ecological strategies in countries such
human societies and the natural world. 16 as India and Canada. India’s National Action Plan
on Climate Change integrates eight key missions,
2.2. Ecological sustainability initiative in other such as the Solar Mission and Green India Mission,
countries: A comparison with the Chinese model designed to enhance renewable energy use, promote
The Chinese model of “Ecological Civilization” afforestation, and increase water-use efficiency. These
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integrates SDGs into its national policy, addressing initiatives are particularly relevant to SDGs 7 and 15,

Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 3 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.8483