Pakistan’s energy transition vital to combat climate change, smog crisis: Experts

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2026) Amid worsening smog, rising temperatures and growing climate pressures, experts and policymakers have stressed the urgent need for Pakistan to shift towards cleaner, affordable and sustainable energy resources to secure the country’s economic and environmental future.

They said Pakistan could no longer rely heavily on imported fossil fuels and expensive conventional energy systems when the country possessed enormous untapped renewable energy potential, including solar, wind and hydropower resources.

Speaking at a seminar on energy transition and climate resilience here Friday, they emphasized that Pakistan’s long-term sustainability depended on revisiting national energy policies and adopting a modern, climate-responsive approach to energy production and consumption.

The seminar was jointly organized by the Information Service academy and the Alliance for Good Governance Foundation and brought together policymakers, energy experts, environmentalists and academics to deliberate on the country’s energy transition challenges and opportunities.

The experts observed that continued dependence on imported fuel had placed a severe burden on consumers, industries and the national economy while increasing environmental degradation. They termed the prevailing energy crisis a reflection of policy failures and lack of long-term planning despite Pakistan being naturally endowed with abundant renewable energy resources.

According to analysts, affordable and clean energy had become essential not only for public welfare but also for the country’s economic survival, as high electricity and fuel prices had negatively affected industrial productivity, exports and business competitiveness, further widening the current account and trade deficits.

The environmental experts noted that shifting toward renewable energy sources could significantly help Pakistan reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the growing impacts of climate change.

They stressed that decarbonization and reduced dependence on fossil fuels were no longer optional but necessary for sustainable development.

The experts noted that Pakistan, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, remained among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries.

They said Pakistan’s geographical position between the rapidly industrializing economies of China and India had intensified environmental pressures, particularly in the form of transboundary pollution and smog.

Renewable energy expert Dr Muhammad Zubair, addressing the seminar, said the future of renewable energy in Pakistan held immense promise as the country simultaneously struggled to increase energy production and address climate change impacts.

He said Pakistan needed to move beyond traditional methods of energy generation and adopt modern technologies capable of ensuring environmental protection, social security and industrial sustainability.

Highlighting the concept of “just transition,” Dr Zubair said the approach required protecting vulnerable communities while shifting toward cleaner energy systems.

He stressed that energy transition strategies must consider local realities, public ownership and inclusive participation at regional and national levels.

“We need to move away from greenhouse gas-intensive economic activities through financing, policy engagement, technical support and knowledge sharing according to our national priorities,” he said.

Dr Zubair said the Energy Transition Mechanism was expected to become one of the key tools for implementing Just Energy Transition Partnerships aimed at promoting international cooperation and climate financing.

He expressed confidence that initiatives such as the Alternative Energy Development board and supportive renewable energy policies could accelerate Pakistan’s transition toward clean and diversified energy systems. According to him, renewable energy diversification would strengthen Pakistan’s energy security while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

He said the government had already approved the National Electricity Plan 2023, which outlined implementation strategies and future policy guidelines for reforming the power sector.

The officials believed the plan could help improve efficiency, reduce losses and encourage investment in renewable energy projects, he added.

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Experts warned that the worsening climate crisis was rapidly intensifying the urgency for action as rising temperatures and accelerated glacier melting had triggered devastating floods, irregular rainfall patterns and water-related disasters across the country in recent years.

They said Pakistan had no choice but to adopt low-carbon development pathways and expand clean energy production to cope with increasing environmental and economic challenges.

Climate experts also stressed the importance of global cooperation, noting that Pakistan urgently required financial and technical assistance from international partners and donor agencies to strengthen climate resilience and energy transformation efforts.

Managing Director of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board Shah Jahan Mirza warned that Pakistan could face even greater economic and environmental difficulties if it failed to prioritize clean energy and decarbonization. “In this changing and competitive environment, clean energy must remain our top priority,” he said, adding that the country had paid insufficient attention to renewable energy and decarbonization in the past. He pointed out that renewable energy had become one of the most affordable energy options globally due to rapidly declining technology costs.

Referring to international data, he said that between 2010 and 2020, the cost of solar energy declined by nearly 85 percent, while offshore and marine wind energy costs also fell substantially.

Experts observed that these global trends offered Pakistan a significant opportunity to reduce energy generation costs and lessen dependence on imported fuel.

Environmental health concerns also emerged as a major topic during the seminar.

Citing reports from the World Health Organization, the speakers noted that a majority of the global population breathed polluted air exceeding recommended safety limits, while environmental pollution contributed to approximately 13 million deaths annually worldwide.

Former chairman of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Dr Irfan Yusuf said renewable energy offered healthier, affordable and environmentally sustainable alternatives compared to conventional fossil fuel systems. He said Pakistan’s existing energy model, heavily reliant on petroleum products and conventional biomass, continued to create negative socio-economic and environmental consequences.

Dr Yusuf underlined that one of Pakistan’s biggest challenges was creating a stable and investor-friendly environment that allowed renewable energy developers to assess and manage risks confidently. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, technical expertise and public awareness regarding renewable energy technologies. According to him, the transition toward clean energy could not be achieved by the government alone and required active support from the private sector, investors, financial institutions and development partners.

The energy analysts said encouraging renewable investors and simplifying regulatory frameworks could help accelerate clean energy projects and create new employment opportunities in the country. They observed that Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis, coupled with soaring electricity tariffs, had placed immense pressure on ordinary citizens and industrial sectors alike. Industries facing high production costs and unreliable power supply had struggled to remain competitive, resulting in reduced productivity and economic slowdown, they added.

The experts warned that without urgent reforms and innovative policy measures, Pakistan could face prolonged economic instability and worsening environmental conditions. They stressed that long-term planning, political commitment and innovative solutions were urgently needed to ensure affordable electricity, industrial growth and environmental sustainability.

The analysts further emphasized that renewable energy development should not only be viewed as an environmental necessity but also as a strategic economic opportunity capable of transforming Pakistan’s energy landscape, generating employment and reducing dependence on imported fuel. They concluded that Pakistan stood at a critical crossroads where timely investment in clean and sustainable energy could help secure economic stability, environmental protection and energy security for future generations.