Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan needs a strong central green innovation hub to confront the intensifying climate threats and accelerate climate-smart growth, said environmentalist Dr. Muhammad Akbar in an exclusive interview with WealthPK. He noted that such a hub would help advance renewable energy, sustainable industry, and climate-smart infrastructure, contributing to energy security.

"Being vulnerable to climate change impacts, including floods, droughts, and sudden heatwaves, Pakistan needs sustainable solutions in different sectors, particularly the environment. Green technology hubs are necessary to foster innovation, attracting both local and foreign direct investment (FDI), facilitating knowledge and information sharing, and creating sustainable green economic activities,” he said.

He said that green technologies can play a vital role in transforming Pakistan into a low-carbon economy by reducing carbon emissions across various sectors, including transportation, energy, and waste management. By addressing climate change impacts, G-TH will help conserve different ecosystems in the country, turning the smoky cities into sustainable green urban centers and changing the rural areas into climate-smart hubs.

Discussing with WealthPK the importance of G-TH to drive climate-smart growth, environmentalist and Deputy Director Communication at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), Muhammad Saleem said, “A strong but smart green-tech hub is a strategic imperative, especially when Pakistan continues to face frequent climate shocks. From carbon-smart agriculture to clean energy, the green tech hub can serve as a powerful engine of growth and resilience.

With strategic management, today’s G-TH can evolve into a regional powerhouse.” He noted that the ministry recently launched the Green-Tech Hub as a multi-stakeholder initiative. It was rolled out in collaboration with the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), COMSATS, and several other institutions. Expert partners engaged in research and development, technical expertise, and financial management. Key partners include Ignite, Acumen, Ahya, Paklaunch, Sarmayacar, and Zayn VC.

Shedding light on the salient features of a high-impact Green-Tech Hub, Saleem said it must consist of a research and development incubator, a climate finance gateway, a startup accelerator, pilot project deployments, educational and technological transfer capacity, as well as strong linkages with policy and industry. The G-TH aims to support green startups by providing smart R&D infrastructure and connecting innovators to the global climate finance, the senior climate change ministry official added.

The ministry official, who also serves as the spokesperson for MoCC&EC, stated, “Globally, Pakistan ranks as the sixth-largest solar market, with a capacity growth potential of 50%. This reflects a commercial shift away from unreliable grids. However, to sustain this momentum, we need domestic technology solutions that ensure resilience and scalability. To maximize the impact and measurability of Pakistan’s green projects, technical innovation is essential.”

He said that in early 2024, the global venture funding in climate tech declined by 57% year-on-year, creating a critical funding gap. In response, the Green Climate Fund initially pledged US$15 million to Sarmayacar, which was quickly followed by an additional US$10 million, providing the much-needed boost to Pakistan’s climate startup ecosystem.

Saleem emphasised that unlocking investment opportunities under the G-TH framework could also attract FDI. “This is indeed a promising initiative, built on solid foundations. It has the potential not only to drive Pakistan’s green transition today but also to benefit future generations,” he remarked.

Credit: INP-WealthPk