"ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY OF GREEN TRANSPORTATION UNDER THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY"

Аннотация

This article studies the impact of green transport systems on environmental quality in the context of economic infrastructure development within the framework of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative. The need to implement economic infrastructure projects in an environmentally friendly manner is urgent today. The study uses a semi-experimental approach. The results show that green transport, although a stabilizing factor for environmental quality, leads to an increase in CO₂ emissions. This situation is explained on the basis of the theory of development compatibility. In conclusion, the study highlights the following as a positive conclusion: the development ofgreen transport in developing countries reduces theincrease incarbon emissions. Keywords: Green economy, sustainable development, ecological innovations, efficient use of resources, air pollution, carbon footprint, renewable energy, environmental safety, bioeconomy, economicefficiency. Introduction. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an innovative framework aimed at promoting intercontinental economic cooperation, connectivity, and infrastructure development. It requires in-depth research, considering its comprehensive impact on environmentally friendly transport networks and sustainable environmental practices. It is essential to assess the potential impact of the BRI on clean transport and the environment, including both positive and negative impacts. The BRI will have significant impacts on land use, resource consumption, pollution levels, and transport infrastructure. 1. This study aims to explore the complex relationship between green transport and environmental sustainability in BRI countries, and to provide useful analysis for policymakers, urban planners, researchers, and stakeholders supporting sustainable development. Green transport modes include electric vehicles (EVs), public transport systems, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, renewable fuels and alternative energy sources, smart transport systems, sustainable infrastructure, and carpooling services. Manufacturers are actively engaged in EV research, battery technologies, charging infrastructure, and related services. Publictransport networks can enhancepublicuse through smart mobility solutions, infrastructure upgrades, and investment in new vehicles. Innovative transport systems optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and minimize energy consumption. 2. Sustainable infrastructure plays a key 1[1]X.Chen,A.Guo,Z.Miao,P.Zhu,Assessingtheperformanceofthetransportsectorwithintheglobalsupply chaincontext:decompositionofenergyandenvironmentalproductivity,Appl.Energy358(2024)122615, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APENERGY.2023.122615.[2]Q.Lu,K.Fang,R.Heijungs,K.Feng,J.Li,Q.Wen,Y.Li,X. Huang,ImbalanceanddriversofcarbonemissionsembodiedintradealongtheBeltandRoadInitiative,Appl. Energy280(2020)115934,https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APENERGY.2020.115934.[3]C.NedopilWang,ChinaBelt andRoadInitiative(BRI)InvestmentReport2021,2022. 2[4]Z.Lv,W.Shang,Impactsofintelligenttransportationsystemsonenergyconservationandemissionreduction oftransportsystems:acomprehensivereview,GreenTechnol.Sustain.1(1)(2023)100002, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GRETS.2022.100002.[5]S.Singh,S.P.Upadhyay,S.Powar,Developinganintegrated social,economic,environmental,andtechnicalanalysismodelforsustainabledevelopmentusinghybridmulti- https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue6,2025 173 role in green transportation through practices such as the use of recycled materials and consideration of environmental impacts at the design stage, especially in the construction of environmentally friendly roads and bridges. In addition, car-sharing services (ridesharing and carpooling) reduce the total number of vehicles, reduce emissions, and alleviate traffic congestion. Environmental degradation and climate change have a wide-ranging impact on the world, including BRI countries. Despite the fact that more than 200 countries that signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, including BRI countries, aimed to keep global temperature increase below 2 °C, in 2017, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from BRI countries amounted to 11.76 billion tons, equivalent to 35.61% of global emissions. That is, their gross domestic product (GDP) is still 17% The BRI countries, which have not yet reached the 2020 target, produce almost a third of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Reconciling economic growth potential with low-carbon emissions has become a major challenge for BRI countries. According to "A review on global fuel economy standards, labels and technologies in the transportation sector, Renew", the transport sector is responsible for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions and 23% of carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the transport sector's contribution to carbon emissions increased by 71% from 1990 to 2016, accounting for a quarter of global emissions. In particular, the movement of goods accounts for 42% of CO2 emissions and is projected to reach 60% by 2050. Green