Muhammad Saleem

Increasing temperatures resulting from climate change have impaired machine efficiency and labour productivity, lowering production and driving up costs.

Talking to WealthPK, Shoukat Hayat, an ex-officer of the Environment Protection Department, Punjab, said Pakistan’s economy is feeling the heat, as climate change is pushing temperatures up year after year. “What once seemed a distant climate threat has now become a grim reality for the factory floors, workers, and machines, as the industries are suffering under the rising temperatures,” he said.

He said Pakistan has been braving the hottest days in the past few years because of climate change. He explained this trend is primarily driven by factors such as global warming, widespread deforestation, and rapid urbanization. Different cities, including Faisalabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan and others, are becoming hotspots of heat, he noted.

“This situation has serious consequences for the industries, needing immediate measures. The workers are exposed to health hazards; there is a loss of productivity, and machines overheat. These challenges are already delaying production and pushing costs up. The problems are likely to aggravate in the future if temperatures continue to rise,” he said.

“We must have strategies to battle the evil fangs of climate change that may have devastating consequences for both the production levels and the economy at large,” he added. He pointed out that increasing temperatures have become a real problem for multiple industries, and it is necessary that businesses, workers, and the government join hands to stay productive and safe amid these emerging challenges.

“Now is the right time to identify the effects of heat on the industries so that necessary steps can be put in place to protect livelihoods and support the economic growth of Pakistan,” he suggested. Raheel Ahmed, an industrialist, told WealthPK that textiles and metal sectors are particularly affected because the majority of factory workers often work in non-air-conditioned areas – especially the older units.

He explained that high temperatures cause fatigue, ultimately reducing productivity. Cotton crop is also experiencing heat stress, and if measures are not taken, the farmers may avoid cotton cultivation, which could drive up costs. “The energy costs of factories are also surging, as it is impossible to perform efficiently in such unbearably hot conditions,” he added. ‘We are experiencing how climate change is wreaking havoc on agriculture and other sectors.

Years ago, reports clearly mentioned that Pakistan would face the worst effects of climate change. Such reports should have been enough for our rulers to devise strategies to minimize the negative impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, those at the helm have done otherwise,” he added. He said it is now evident that heat is affecting both the human and material aspects of production in the textile and metal industries.

“We are also connected with the metal sector, and its production is highly sensitive to heat. Machines like furnaces, presses, and welding equipment require precise temperature control. This sector cannot withstand extreme heat, which often causes breakdowns or malfunctions. Due to heat stress, the workers feel exhausted and can’t properly focus on their tasks. This situation increases the risk of accidents,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk