Author: sbt

  • Green Financing Officer (GFO)

    ADS is looking for an adequately qualified ‘Green Financing Officer (GFO)’ to assume the following responsibilities:

    As a Green Financing Officer (GFO), his/her primary responsibility is to have a comprehensive green financing knowledge while actively monitoring and engaging with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) like World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other national and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) working on energy conservation and decarbonization policies. The GFO will act as a liaison, representing or collaborating with civil society organizations (CSOs), other sectors say industrial stakeholders (e.g., chambers of commerce, textile, sports, and leather industry associations and corporates) to align national priorities and civil society priorities with MDB initiatives: His/her responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

    i). Design and support the implementation of a climate finance strategy tailored to industrial decarbonization and energy conservation priorities, including a comprehensive analysis of existing green finance initiatives;
    ii). Monitor the policies, programs, and funding mechanisms of MDBs (WB, ADB, etc.) related to energy conservation and industrial decarbonization, and to facilitate dialogue with key stakeholders;
    iii). Develop reports by analyzing MDBs’ energy conservation, clean energy, and decarbonization strategies, identifying potential gaps, and offering recommendations from both industrial and social equity perspectives;
    iv). Develop and maintain coordination and collaboration with the respective ministries, departments and institutes such and the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC), the Ministry of Energy (MoE), Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISE), Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB), National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA), and other relevant government and non-government entities, academics and think tanks to advocate for policies that facilitate local industry involvement in MDBs’ decarbonization initiatives, if any.
    v). Lead in expanding and reconceptualising Green Corporate Coalition (GCC) as a platform to bridge between MDBs, industries, and CSOs.
    vi). Participate in consultations on MDB’s Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF) and other relevant policy discussions organized by the respective entities, and ensuring that the voices of industrial representatives and CSOs are heard and incorporated;
    vii). Collaborate with CSOs, and local communities to ensure that MDBs decarbonization and energy conservation initiatives reflect just energy transition, protect environment, and promote social equity;
    viii). Maintain open communication between MDBs and CSOs through letters, emails, visits, and consultations, and petitioning to ensure continuous feedback, adjustment of priorities, and transparent tracking of MDB-financed decarbonization projects;
    ix). Discuss decarbonization plans, financing opportunities, and industry-specific concerns with the industrial stakeholders, CCIs and MDB to argue in favour of people as well as climate.
    x). Sustain and strengthen ADS’s relations with I/NGOs and other Civil Society Institutes to serve the cause of arresting global warming, eliminating GHGs and promoting VRE in the country;
    xi). Responsibly and carefully handle other relevant tasks as assigned by the Chief Executive and the Manger Projects.

    Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
    We are seeking a highly qualified individual with a master’s degree or above in disciplines such as Economics, International Finance, Climate/Environmental Sciences or a relevant degree and experience.

    The ideal candidate will possess excellent research and writing skills, demonstrating a proactive and self- motivated approach. This role entails independently spearheading the above mentioned tasks. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in taking initiatives, ensuring the effective leadership and execution of the relevant ADS projects.

    The ideal candidate should also possess:
    i). 3-4 or above years of experience in green financing mechanisms, MDB’s, engagement with the stakeholders, running campaigns for clean and green energy consumption;
    ii). Logical, rational, and analytical thinking, along with the ability to argue, negotiate, and motivate stakeholders moving towards net-zero ambition;
    iii). Competence in project management, documentation, and reporting, with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and maintain a teamwork work spirit;
    iv). Experience in carrying out primary and secondary data collection, analysis, and tabulation work related to green financing, and renewable energy adoption;
    v). Understand financial instruments and mechanisms such as green/blue bonds, climate funds, and sustainability-linked loans, with an ability to assess financial risks and opportunities;

    What We Offer
    i). A competitive salary package aligned with your skills and experience;
    ii). Opportunities to enhance your expertise and advance your career in the green financing, renewable energy and climate action sectors;
    iii). A dynamic, inclusive, and innovative workspace;
    iv). A unique opportunity to understand funding mechanisms of MDBs (WB, ADB, etc.) and advocate conservation, transition, and industrial decarbonization;
    v). Access to learning resources, training programs, and mentorship to empower you in achieving personal and professional milestones.

    How to Apply:
    ADS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages both men and women to apply. We believe in building a diverse and inclusive team, so we encourage applications from people of all faiths, nationalities, ages, and orientations. A competent and qualified woman might be preferred.

    Please send your Cover Letter and Resume with ‘Full Name – Job Title’ to thealternate.info@gmail.com, by January 5, 2025.

  • Academics stress industrial decarbonisation

    The Newspaper’s Staff Reporter | Dawn News | Published September 7, 2024

    LAHORE: A seminar emphasised the urgent need for industrial decarbonisation in Pakistan, particularly in the textile and sports sectors, to align with global sustainability goals. The event, titled “Arresting the Effects of Climate Change: Pakistan’s Industrial Sector – Emissions Assessment and Way Forward,” was held at a hotel in Multan.

    Dr Shahooduz Zaman from Faisalabad National Textile University said that despite contributing 55-60% of Pakistan’s exports, the textile sector’s reliance on fossil fuels hampers global competitiveness.

    “The average CO2 emissions in the textile industry stand at 25.9 tonnes per month per industry. By scaling up solar energy use, emissions could be cut down by up to 9.2 tonnes of CO2 per month,” Dr Shahood explained, stressing that sustainable energy is essential for global success.

    He further recommended the government provide a policy framework and raise awareness within the industrial community to accelerate decarbonisation efforts.

    Experts discussed the challenges of transitioning to renewable energy, emphasising the importance of reducing carbon emissions and adopting climate-friendly technologies.

    Dr Muhammad Dawood of BZU explained that industrialisation significantly contributes to the ecological footprint of various countries and shared strategies for industrial decarbonisation. “Our textile sector is facing a 15% drop in export potential due to high energy costs and CO2 emissions.

    Transitioning to renewable energy is essential for growth and success,” he said.

    Dr Muhammad Sultan, also from BZU, pointed out the importance of industrial decarbonisation in protecting agriculture, especially in regions like Multan, where a cleaner industrial sector ensures sustainable agricultural productivity.

    Industry representatives M Hussain Khawaja and Aasim Shah provided insights into the energy consumption patterns of the textile industry in Multan. They highlighted the potential for renewable energy integration and the implications of the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. They emphasised that Pakistan’s export potential would remain limited unless energy costs are reduced to match regional competitors like India, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

    Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024

  • Green Financing Navigating Commercial Bank’s Role in Decarbonization

    Green banking and green finance are described as models of financing-and-lending that reflect theenvironmental impact and improve environmental sustainability. It is a method to expand the financial sector’s role in protecting the environment by investing money in the corporates for green growth. Since the 1990s, the banking industry has been developing green
    banking strategies to help improve green finance and green growth. Experts argue that developing a financial market is key to determining advancement in the industrial sector.

  • Former Chairman NEPRA Tauseef Farooqi discusses the state of Pakistan’s power sector in the ADS podcast at Times Glo

  • Bridging Climate Awareness and Renewable Energy through Education | Amjad Nazeer | ADS | Saraiki

  • ADS’ Podcast | Climate Finance in Pakistan: Navigating Legislations and Law | Abdul Rafay