Sialkot: Alternate Development Services (ADS), an institute striving to arrest climate change and promote renewable energy, hosted a seminar at Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association Hall. The event focused on exploring the decarbonization potential of the sports industry and launched ADS’s new report, “Decarbonizing Sports Industry: Assessing Decarbonization and Growth Potential.”
The report offers a sobering assessment of the sector’s environmental footprints, highlighting a heavy reliance on conventional energy sources like grid electricity (72%) and natural gas (10%). Though sports are known as a low-carbon emitting sector but still the problem is worth addressing. While some progress has been made with renewables like solar (9%) and biogas (1%), most of the industry still relies heavily on the grid, raising concerns about overall atmospheric pollution and environmental impact.
Amjad Nazeer, CEO of ADS, emphasized the urgency of climate action and adopting renewable energy and climate-friendly technology, during his opening remarks. “The sports industry, while making a significant contribution to Pakistan’s GDP and employment generation also contributes to our climatic challenges including global warming. We are seeing its impacts right now in the shape of excessive rains, heavy floods, heatwaves, and droughts across the country,” Mr. Nazeer stated. “This report highlights the need for a drastic shift towards clean energy sources, decarbonization efforts, and efficient technologies.” He called for state facilitation, stakeholder collaboration, and concerted efforts to enforce decarbonization and assume renewable energy options.
PSGMEA President Arshad Lateef Butt highlighted Sialkot’s historic role in sports goods and its skilled artisans who made it a global hub. He also emphasized the industry’s key role in Pakistan’s economy through exports and job creation. “The sector should adopt alternative, renewable, and efficient and nature positive technologies before they’re compelled by rapidly growing pro-environment market demand to do so,” Butt Sahab asserted.
While representing ADS, Abdul Haseeb Tariq explained, “Our study revealed a dominant reliance on grid electricity, followed by natural gas. While some industries are making strides with renewables, most still depend heavily on the grid.”
A concerning knowledge gap was also identified in the report. “A staggering 81% of those surveyed were unaware of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a likely export conditionality shortly that will impact Pakistan’s sports Euro-American market,” Mr. Tariq highlighted. “This lack of awareness underscores the need for industry sensitization and preparation for national and international environmental compliances and regulations.”
A local sports industry representative, Samson Iqbal, also spoke at the event. He highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable manufacturing processes, stating that these practices can significantly contribute to the decarbonization efforts of the industry.
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