Multinational enterprises and the 'one belt, one road' initiative: Sustainable development and innovation in a post-crisis global environment

Abstract

By initiating the development of a gigantic international trade network across Asia, Europe and Africa, with several trade corridors that will span around 60 countries, China intends to stimulate substantial economic growth. Already in the first phase, focused on building an adequate infrastructure, multinational enterprises will play a vital role in developing the so-called New Silk Road or the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. This article inquires into the environmental impacts that a venture of this magnitude will entail and discusses the potential of the available voluntary and mandatory governance instruments to lead the key economic actors to take sustainability criteria into account.