Islamabad – The Alternate Development Services (ADS), an environmental advocacy entity, held an event in Islamabad today to launch three industrial study reports addressing the urgent need and potential for industrial decarbonization in Pakistan. The reports, Energy Landscape of the Industries and Pathways to Energy Transition and Decarbonization, delve into the energy and emissions profiles of the sports, textile, and food and beverage industries, offering actionable pathways for renewable energy adoption and emissions reduction.
Speaking at the event, ADS Chief Executive Amjad Nazeer emphasized the criticality of industrial transformation to meet Pakistan’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. “The stakes are high. If we fail to transition our industries to cleaner energy, the cost will be borne by the most vulnerable among us,” he remarked. Nazeer highlighted the immense potential of Sialkot’s sports manufacturing sector, which, if decarbonized, could become a global model for sustainable industrial practices.
Engr. Usman Ahmed, Clean and Green Energy Officer at ADS, presented the findings on the textile industry, stressing its importance as the backbone of Pakistan’s exports. “Decarbonizing the textile sector is not just a climate imperative—it’s a business necessity to remain competitive in global markets,” he stated. Ahmed underscored the role of frameworks like the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) in facilitating the transition, calling for urgent policy and market alignment to support cleaner energy initiatives.
The food and beverage sector, another focus of ADS’s research, was discussed by Abdul Haseeb Tariq, also a Clean and Green Energy Officer. He outlined a roadmap for reducing emissions in this high-impact sector, highlighting how consumer awareness can drive demand for sustainable products. “Cleaner production practices can transform this industry into a model of sustainable growth,” he noted, urging industry leaders to seize this opportunity.
Former NEPRA Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi provided an overview of the opportunities and challenges posed by the CTBCM framework. Advocating for the CTBCM model, he said, “The government should create policies and liberalize the electricity market. It’s not the government’s business to do in business.” He also stated that “In Pakistan, the cleanest and greenest energy is also the cheapest. Inevitably, CTBCM will be utilized by those who can produce the cheapest energy, and they are the ones who produce green energy.”
Noorul Arifeen Zuberi, senior advisor at China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited, praised ADS for its vital research in industrial decarbonization. He stated, “ADS’ commitment to energy transition and sustainable practices is commendable.”
Zuberi emphasized the connection between industrial growth and sustainability, saying, “Decarbonization is a pathway to sustainable economic growth.” He urged Pakistan to leverage its renewable energy resources and noted the visible effects of climate change, asserting that “the industrial sector must lead the decarbonization effort to meet international commitments.”
The event concluded with an interactive session, where participants, including industry representatives, policymakers, and academics, exchanged insights on overcoming barriers to decarbonization. The findings from ADS’s reports were positioned as a call to action for all stakeholders to work collectively toward a sustainable energy transition.
