By: Maleeha Irfan
KARACHI: Pakistan faces urgent environmental challenges, compelling experts to stress the immediate shift towards renewable energy sources. A recent webinar titled “Renewable Energy: Pursuing Clean Energy Solutions for Pakistan” highlighted the critical role of renewable energy in combating climate change as Pakistan is still majorly dependent on fossil fuels for the daily operation. The webinar organized by Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation, supported by the United States Department of State, aimed to generate discourse to highlight the pivotal role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change, reducing carbon footprints, and charting a course toward energy autonomy.
The event, moderated by distinguished environmental journalist Ms. Afia Salam, emphasized the media’s pivotal role in disseminating climate change awareness. Ms. Salam articulated a comprehensive view of environmental issues by stressing that policymakers must adopt cohesive strategies within the Pakistani context.
Providing insights into Pakistan’s energy generation portfolio, Ms. Zehra Aneek, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in energy sustainability and corporate governance, highlighted the country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which account for 60% of energy consumption. She elucidated the challenges in infrastructure development for renewable energy transmission and installation by citing policy barriers such as the “solar tax”, which disincentivizes the adoption of renewable energy sources to the public.
Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Mohsin Babbar, a respected media veteran, emphasized the economic repercussions of Pakistan’s energy import bills and circular debt. He emphasized the need for broadening the climate change discourse beyond urban elites to engage local communities actively. Mr. Babbar emphasized the crucial role of political parties, media, and digital influencers in promoting awareness and advocacy for renewable energy solutions.
Nida Farid, an aerospace engineer, and founder of “Save Joules,” articulated the importance of energy conservation education in reducing utility bills and promoting energy-efficient appliances. She underlined the necessity of dispelling misconceptions surrounding energy among policymakers to facilitate effective decision-making.
In conclusion, the webinar emphasized the necessity of policy frameworks that support renewable energy adoption without acting as barriers. The discussion highlighted solar energy as a viable solution for mitigating climate change consequences and called for collective action towards a
cleaner, safer environment for future generations. GNMI aims to contribute its efforts in promoting renewable energy solutions in combating the effect of climate change on the ecosystem as well as on the lives of individuals through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and policy initiatives.