FAISALABAD: The climate and energy experts have warned that the country’s industrial sector must be rapidly transit toward renewable energy and low-carbon production to remain competitive in global markets, which is increasingly shaped by climate regulations.
This call was made at the launch of three research studies on industrial de-carbonization, collectively urging policymakers and businesses to prioritise solar adoption, emissions reduction, and long-term energy planning.
The event, hosted by Alternate Development Services (ADS) at a local hotel, brought together academics, industry representatives, civil society members, and policymakers to examine the future of energy use in Pakistan’s textile and leather sectors, two major contributors to national exports and emissions.
Opening the session, ADS Chief Executive Amjad Nazeer said Pakistan’s industries were entering “a decisive moment” where energy choices would determine export prospects and survival in international value chains. He noted that new global carbon thresholds, shifting buyer expectations, and supply chain compliance standards were already reshaping industrial production. “Countries that act early will secure economic advantage. Those that delay will face exclusion,” he cautioned.
The first study, presented by Dr Syed Ali Abbas Kazmi, Head of Department USPCASE NUST and Muhamad Usman bin Ahmed, Research Scholar of NUST, examined the techno-economic feasibility of off-grid solar systems for the textile sector. Their findings highlighted significant cost savings and substantial carbon reduction potential under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) regime, which is expected to redefine Pakistan’s power market in the coming years.
A second study, shared by Abdul Haseeb Tariq, Green and Clean Energy Officer of ADS, documented solar uptake across industrial clusters. While solarisation is growing, he noted that regulatory gaps, financial constraints, and inconsistent government support continue to hinder large-scale transition.
The leather industry’s energy landscape was analysed by Amjad Mehdi, Advocacy Leads at ADS, whose report identified major inefficiencies, emissions hotspots, and opportunities for low-carbon interventions. With the sector increasingly scrutinised by international buyers, he warned that failure to decarbonise could directly impact Pakistan’s export access.
A panel discussion featuring experts from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, National Textile University, NUST, and the private sector underscored the severe climate and market pressures facing local industries.
Speakers noted that renewable energy was now being adopted less for environmental reasons and more due to direct demands from major international clients, particularly in Europe. They agreed that sustainability compliance had become non-negotiable for global procurement and that industries prioritised return on investment but would shift rapidly when buyers linked orders to clean energy adoption.
Panelists also pointed to an emerging trend in which solar energy is being used to meet Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) criteria set by international brands. They maintained that Pakistan’s industrial resilience depends on diversifying energy sources and investing early in efficiency and renewable technologies.
In concluding remarks, Nazeer called the three reports “blueprints for action” and urged close collaboration between government, academia, and industry to accelerate Pakistan’s energy transition. He said that without decisive planning, Pakistan risked falling behind in a global economy increasingly defined by climate compliance and low-carbon production.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
