Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change organized by Alternate Development Services (ADS)

Multan, September 06: The industrial sector of Pakistan, particularly the textile and sports industries, urgently needs to reduce carbon emissions. It has become critical for Pakistan’s industries to adopt renewable energy sources to tackle climate change while also improving their export potential. The textile industry in Pakistan is responsible for 91.6% of its carbon emissions, which are linked to the electricity grid. Therefore, reducing reliance on the grid and adopting renewable energy is the need of the hour to increase exports. These views were expressed by speakers during a seminar titled “Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change: A Review of Emissions from Pakistan’s Industrial Sector and Future Plans,” organized by Alternate Development Services (ADS) at a local hotel. The seminar was attended by key stakeholders from the textile and sports industries.

Speaking on the occasion, Amjad Nazir, CEO of ADS, said that adopting renewable energy sources is essential for Pakistan’s industries to address climate change and enhance their export potential. He stated, “91.6% of carbon emissions in Pakistan’s textile industry are linked to the electricity grid. Hence, reducing dependency on the grid and adopting renewable energy is crucial to boost exports.”

Assistant Professor at National Textile University Faisalabad, Dr. Shahood Uz Zaman, highlighted that the textile sector, responsible for 55-60% of the country’s exports, lags in global competition due to its reliance on fossil fuels. He mentioned, “The textile industry emits an average of 25.9 tons of CO2 per month, but if solar energy usage is increased, these emissions could be reduced to 9.2 tons per month per industry.” He emphasized the need for industries to be aware of decarbonization and for the government to establish coherent policies in this regard.

Industry representative Khawaja Hussain shed light on the current situation of the textile industry in Multan. He discussed energy usage trends, the potential for integrating renewable energy, and the possible impacts of the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Dr. Muhammad Daud from Zakariya University elaborated on carbon reduction strategies for industries and their benefits. He said, “Our textile sector is facing a 15% reduction in export potential due to rising energy costs and CO2 emissions. Transitioning to renewable energy is not only advantageous but also essential for growth and success.”

Environmental department officials Abdul Hameed, Dr. Amjad Bukhari, Fazal Lund, and Zahoor Joiya stated, “Industrial carbon reduction is essential not only for cost-cutting but also for protecting the environment in regions like Multan. A cleaner industrial sector ensures sustainable development, which is vital for both the environment and the economy.”

Multan: Amjad Nazir, Dr. Shahood Uz Zaman, Professor Dr. Muhammad Daud, Khawaja Hussain, Abdul Hameed, Dr. Amjad Bukhari, Fazal Lund, and Zahoor Joiya addressing the seminar titled Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change, organized by Alternate Development Services (ADS).