Jin Jiaman, [executive director of the Global Environmental Institute], suggests ways to improve environmental protection in China’s overseas infrastructure projects after 'green finance’ gets backing from G20 leaders.

…China’s reputation as a major overseas investor and the credibility of its vast "One Belt One Road" infrastructure plan will suffer unless Chinese firms follow environmental policies…[I]n developing nations, Chinese companies can apply lower, local environmental standards and governance is weaker….However, any problems will hurt China’s government, national image and inter-governmental projects…. China could draw up specific standards for investments in developing nations, or apply China’s own domestic standards. …When problems arise someone should be held to account…This is the only way to reduce the environmental risks of investment. …China’s leadership are already aware of the role financial bodies can play in economic development and environmental governance. “Green finance” was on the agenda for the first time at the G20 summit … [But] [e]nvironmental protection still isn’t a factor in investment and in the decision-making processes for lending on overseas investments. If the company and the funder are going to take environmental protection seriously then environmental standards have to be part of the processes, a condition of approval…. Chinese companies take on a lot of risk when they invest in an unfamiliar location, and they are keen to see NGOs provide information and warn of risks… NGOs have an essential role to play in overseas investments.