The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has always carried with it an aura of ambition. Launched in 2013, it was initially framed as a grand infrastructure strategy—railways, highways, pipelines, and ports connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. For years, it was critiqued as “roads and loans” diplomacy, with critics warning about debt distress, opaque lending, and the environmental costs of mega-projects. An empathetic, in-depth look at how China green BRI soared in green-energy engagements throughout 2025—highlighting record wind, solar, and waste-to-energy deals—and what’s in store for a more climate-aligned, low-carbon 2026.
But in 2025, something changed. A quieter revolution within the BRI began to take center stage: climate and clean energy.
- According to the Green Finance & Development Center, USD 9.7 billion worth of renewable energy projects and investments were rolled out under the BRI in the first half of 2025 alone—the largest half-year green engagement ever recorded.
- These projects spanned solar parks in Sub-Saharan Africa, wind farms in Central Asia, hydro in Southeast Asia, and waste-to-energy plants across the Middle East.
- Installed renewable capacity reached an impressive 11.9 gigawatts (GW)—equivalent to powering over 10 million households.
This is more than just a pivot in funding priorities. It signals a strategic reinvention of China’s global economic diplomacy, aligning with the world’s decarbonization goals, while also creating new markets for Chinese clean-tech giants.
So, what exactly happened in 2025 to push the BRI into its greenest year yet? And what does 2026 hold for the world’s most ambitious development initiative? Let’s unpack the shifts.
2025 Highlights: The Green BRI Energy Momentum
Record-Breaking Investments
The numbers tell a clear story:
- Green energy investments soared by 140% YoY, growing from USD 1.3 billion in 2024 to USD 3.1 billion in 2025.
- Construction investments rose from USD 4.4 billion (H1 2024) to USD 5.7 billion (H1 2025).
- Together, these figures represent the strongest half-year performance in the BRI’s green portfolio since inception.
Geographic Spread
The renewable boom wasn’t limited to one region. Instead, it reflected a global embrace of China’s clean-energy offerings:
- Africa: Nigeria partnered with Longi Green Energy to launch pioneering green hydrogen facilities, tapping into the continent’s solar potential.
- Central Asia: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan accelerated utility-scale wind farm projects, reducing dependency on coal and gas.
- South Asia: Pakistan added more solar and wind capacity to its energy mix under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- Middle East: The UAE and Saudi Arabia welcomed BRI-linked waste-to-energy projects as part of their Vision 2030 agendas.
Technology at Scale
This wasn’t just about money—it was about technology transfer.
- Chinese firms like LONGi, CATL, and Goldwind exported not only solar modules and wind turbines but also expertise in battery storage, grid integration, and hydrogen pilot projects.
- For the first time, Chinese green hydrogen technology began commercial deployment abroad, hinting at the next phase of decarbonization diplomacy.
Finance & Technology: Scaling Renewables Across Borders
A critical driver of this green surge has been the convergence of finance and technology.
Greener Financing Models
BRI deals in 2025 increasingly leveraged:
- Public–private partnerships (PPPs): reducing sovereign debt exposure.
- Equity investments: allowing Chinese companies to hold stakes and share risks.
- Green bonds and blended finance tools: bringing in multilateral banks and private capital alongside Chinese policy banks.
For example, in Kenya, a new solar-plus-storage project was financed partly through Chinese equity, partly via a World Bank-backed guarantee, and partly through green bond issuances in Nairobi.
Tech Export as Diplomacy
- China’s domestic oversupply of solar panels (caused by a slowdown in home installations) found new markets through the BRI.
- Exporting wind turbines and battery systems helped partners leapfrog into renewables without decades of fossil lock-in.
- BRI countries now see China not just as an infrastructure builder but as a clean-tech partner.
Environmental Concerns & Calls for Best Practices
While the shift to green is welcome, it hasn’t erased all concerns.
Risks on the Ground
- Ecological disruptions from large hydro projects, which sometimes impact fish populations and local ecosystems.
- Community displacement where land is cleared for large solar or wind parks.
- Land degradation if waste-to-energy projects lack robust emissions controls.
Push for Accountability
Civil society, local governments, and international watchdogs are urging:
- Stricter Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
- Community benefit-sharing agreements.
- Transparency in financing and procurement.
This growing scrutiny means that in 2026, trust and transparency will be as critical as investment dollars.
The 2026 Outlook: A Greener, Smarter BRI
Looking ahead, several big shifts are expected:
Smart Grids & Storage
BRI investment in 2026 is likely to expand into digitalized energy infrastructure—smart grids, AI-driven load balancing, and battery storage—ensuring renewable integration is stable and reliable.
Conditional Green Finance
More deals may include “green conditionality” clauses, tying disbursements to environmental performance. Multilateral banks and ESG-minded investors are pushing for this approach.
Balancing Speed with Standards
Host nations need energy fast—but NGOs and international observers demand safeguards. 2026 will test whether BRI can deliver both speed and accountability.
Local Engagement
The push for local workforce development and technology transfer will deepen. Without it, projects risk being viewed as extractive rather than collaborative.
BRI 2.0 as Climate Diplomacy
The green BRI isn’t just an economic strategy—it’s becoming a pillar of China’s global climate diplomacy, especially in the Global South. Expect more deals announced at forums like COP31 in Brazil (2026).
Action Points for Stakeholders
For governments, companies, and NGOs involved in the BRI, 2026 offers a moment to embed better practices. Key recommendations include:
- Mandatory EIAs that go beyond box-ticking—incorporating biodiversity and social impact.
- Blended finance models to reduce debt risk while ensuring project quality.
- Technology partnerships that include skill transfer and training for local workers.
- Open procurement systems to enhance transparency and reduce corruption.
- Alignment with national climate goals, so BRI projects directly contribute to host-country NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions).
Conclusion
The Green BRI of 2025—with nearly 12 GW of renewables, a record USD 9.7 billion in projects, and the spread of new technologies like hydrogen—marks a turning point. No longer defined only by railways and ports, the initiative is being reshaped into a climate-conscious partnership network.
Yet, megawatts alone won’t secure its future. The true test lies in whether the BRI can build trust, transparency, and tangible benefits for communities.
As Mattias Knutsson, strategic leader in procurement and business development, often emphasizes: sustainable development is not only about building infrastructure but about embedding integrity, local empowerment, and long-term value into every deal.
If 2025 was about proving that the BRI can go green, then 2026 will be about proving that it can stay green—ethically, equitably, and effectively.
The future of the world’s most ambitious global initiative may very well hinge on this delicate balance.
