Green Corridors And Regional Economic Integrations For Sustainable Development

The post-industrial revolution has changed global economic and environmental conditions. Globalization has helped to boost resource productivity and accelerated individual nations’ economic development and levels of connectedness to one another. The One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, for example, is an ambitious economic growth and business venture aimed at increasing the integration of various countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. The Chinese authorities term it the "Century project," as OBOR stretches around 78 nations globally. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is another example of economic integration, emphasizing connections to Africa and West Asia as economic markets. It remains apparent that economic growth and energy sources (mainly fossil fuels) are the primary drivers of climate change. However, only a limited fraction of initiatives have been taken to convert such energy systems to carbon-neutral sources. Economic integration extension without green corridors raises doubts on the effectiveness and productivity of various international conferences and summits in this regard.

This book introduces the influence and impacts of green economy and green growth on sustainable economic development. Combining empirical and theoretical information, it provides detailed descriptions of state-of-the-art approaches, methods and initiatives from around the globe that illustrate green policies and demonstrate how green growth can be implemented on an international scale. It also includes analyses of specific issues, such as public policies and sustainable development plans that influence industry and increase trade in environmental goods and services – the way to a greener economy, green tourism, green agriculture, green learning and green equilibrium in modern society. Matters such as green procurement, environmentally oriented implementation strategies, and the importance of employee skills in the development of a sustainable future workforce are described, as well as a selection of tools that can be used to foster sustainable growth, green economies and green growth. The book also offers a timely contribution to the dissemination of approaches and methods that improve the way we perceive and utilize natural resources and the technologies designed to protect them. Puts forward new ideas for creating a more sustainable future.

The question underlying the entirety of this publication is: "How can viable economic corridors be called into existence by dint of government and multilateral support?" The authors answer this question by examining the experience of economic corridor development of different regions from across continents. There are important lessons to be learned for successful corridor development from the experiences of the European Union and South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation regions. In each case, detailed models were constructed to assess the economic impact of corridor investments. What emerged from a consideration of these two cases (as well as broader discussions) was a framework for evidence-based policy analysis. When key policy makers and stakeholders pursue measurable outcomes for the development of regional economic corridors, the model and data framework (at a standard economic scale of relevance) allows for an investment-relevant development of scenarios, which will be monitored within an effective organizational process. Such a process, with all the elements of an evidence-based policy in place, is highly likely to generate successful economic corridor development, which would realize envisaged opportunities within the regions. Two priority regions in Asia, the Greater Mekong Subregion and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation, face different opportunities.

The economic corridor approach was adopted by the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries in 1998 to help accelerate subregional development. The development of economic corridors links production, trade, and infrastructure within a specific geographic area. The review of these corridors was conducted to take into account the opening up of Myanmar and ensure that there is a close match between corridor routes and trade flows; GMS capitals and major urban centers are connected to each other; and the corridors are linked with maritime gateways. The review came up with recommendations for possible extension and/or realignment of the corridors, and adoption of a classification system for corridor development. The GMS Ministers endorsed the recommendations of the study at the 21st GMS Ministerial Conference in Thailand in 2016.

Delegates to the 3rd International Conference on Environmental and Economic Impact on Sustainable Development contributed the peer-reviewed papers contained in this book. The papers discuss the most serious problems affecting sustainable development. They consider the impact of economic constraints on the environment, taking into account the social aspects as well as the over-use of natural resources. Uncontrolled development can also result in damage to the environment in terms of the release of toxic substances and hazardous waste. Thus, attention is paid to issues related to whether some forms of development are compatible with environmental protection, particularly in cases of possible serious contamination and toxicity. The focus in the book is on more constructive and progressive approaches to the problems discussed, to ensure sustainability. The hope is that through the shared experiences of experts, we can learn from past failure, to avoid repeating similar mistakes, while attempting to prevent emerging threats to the environmental and ecological systems. Fundamental to these concepts are an analysis of the inherent risks and the development of appropriate strategies. The papers in this book cover such topics as: Environmental assessments; Environmental policies and planning; Water resources management; Natural resources management; Legislation and regulations; Development issues; Economic impact.

This report analyzes how closer regional connectivity and economic integration between South Asia and Southeast Asia can benefit both regions, with a focus on the role played by infrastructure and public policies in facilitating this process. It examines major developments in South Asian–Southeast Asian trade and investment, economic cooperation, the role of economic corridors, and regional cooperation initiatives. In particular, it identifies significant opportunities for strengthening these integration efforts as a result of the recent opening up of Myanmar in political, economic, and financial terms. This is particularly the case for land-based transportation—highways and railroads—and energy trading. The report’s focus is on connectivity in a broad sense, covering both hardware and software, including investment in infrastructure, energy trading, trade facilitation, investment financing, and support for national and regional policies.