Belt and Road Initiative: Green Investment Guidelines (2026)
Published: April 20, 2026
Executive Summary
China issued updated green investment guidelines for the Belt and Road Initiative, prioritizing renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and green finance. Foreign co-investors partnering with Chinese companies on BRI projects receive preferential access to Chinese development finance.
Key Points
All new BRI energy projects must meet China's Green Investment Principles (updated 2026 standards)
Foreign co-investors in BRI green projects eligible for China Development Bank and Exim Bank concessional financing
Priority sectors: solar, wind, hydro, green hydrogen, sustainable transport, and climate-resilient infrastructure
New BRI Green Investment Database provides project transparency and impact tracking
Multilateral partnership framework enables joint ventures between Chinese, foreign, and host country companies
BRI Green Bond framework allows joint issuance by Chinese and foreign partners for eligible projects