KARACHI: Speakers at the Sindh Energy and Climate Conference (SECC26) here on Wednesday called for energy justice, transparent climate financing and stronger environmental accountability.
They warned that Sindh’s transition to renewable energy must not deepen economic inequalities or deprive vulnerable communities of their rights.
The two-day conference, which concluded brought together government representatives, energy experts, researchers, industry stakeholders, civil society organisations and affected communities to discuss solar energy, electricity distribution, electric mobility, extreme heat, water management and climate resilience.
Addressing the closing session, Governor stressed that climate awareness must extend beyond conference halls to schools, universities and coastal communities.
He said climate change should be addressed alongside clean water, sanitation, drainage, waste management, tree plantation and protection of marine resources.
Expressing concern over Karachi’s deteriorating coastal environment, he said sustainable energy development required protection of marine ecosystems.
He also highlighted electricity theft in commercial areas, stressing the need for responsible consumption, efficient distribution and accountability.
The governor urged organisers to share the conference recommendations with relevant government departments and the Governor House and involve technical experts in developing practical solutions.
During a session on solar energy, speakers highlighted the growing disparity between the rapid expansion of solar installations and the ability of low-income households and workers to benefit from them.
Dr Omais Abdur Rehman of Renewable First said Pakistan had around 45 gigawatts of power-generation capacity, while consumers had independently installed nearly 38 gigawatts of solar capacity. However, he cautioned that only 33 percent of distributed systems under a World Bank-supported programme remained operational after ten years, largely due to inadequate maintenance skills.
Hussain Rizvi of the Climate Action Center said 86 percent of respondents in a survey of Karachi’s low-income settlements faced 13 to 20 hours of load-shedding.
Labour representatives said industrial workers and home-based women workers remained largely excluded from solar energy because of low wages and inadequate financing.
They called for subsidised solar systems through BISP, affordable instalments, rural mini-grids and technical training for women and youth.
Another session called for community-based electricity-sharing arrangements, improved grid infrastructure, standardised solar equipment and effective electronic-waste management.
Speakers also urged technical institutions to introduce professional training and certification for solar installers.
On wind energy, experts called for battery storage systems, flexible transmission infrastructure, real-time data-sharing and improved contractual arrangements with independent power producers to reduce renewable energy curtailment.
Discussing electric mobility, Sindh Mass Transit Authority Managing Director Behram Amir Memon said 84 electric buses were operational, while another 1,100 were planned to import and 500 proposed through public-private partnerships.
He also referred to the distribution of 1,000 pink electric scooters.
Speakers identified inadequate charging infrastructure and high upfront costs as major barriers, calling for affordable financing, domestic production of batteries and motors, and charging networks beyond major cities.
The session on extreme heat highlighted the vulnerability of agricultural labourers, industrial workers, women and children. Participants demanded comprehensive heat-protection policies, workplace cooling facilities, drinking water, rest breaks and targeted solar subsidies for disadvantaged households.
A discussion on the water-energy nexus raised serious concerns over the impact of dams and hydropower projects on local communities.
Representatives from the Indus Delta said communities in parts of Badin received irrigation water for only five days a year, contributing to food insecurity and preventing farmers from cultivating rice.
They questioned a development model in which local populations bore the environmental and social costs of major projects while benefits accrued elsewhere.
Speakers demanded fair water distribution, meaningful community consultations and climate investments that did not further increase the country’s debt burden.
Climate financing was another major focus, with participants stressing that funds must reach vulnerable communities and be utilised transparently.
Recalling the more than USD30 billion in damage and economic losses caused by the 2022 floods, they called for stronger local governments, early-warning systems, flood protection, crop insurance and greater private-sector investment in climate resilience.
A cross-movement dialogue brought together farmers, workers, students, women and community representatives, who called for collective action against environmental degradation, displacement and social injustice.
Representatives from Tharparkar and villages hosting wind-energy projects alleged that local communities remained deprived of basic facilities and the benefits of projects established on their land. They demanded meaningful consultation, equal participation of women in policymaking and a fair share of development benefits for host communities.
Participants stressed that communities generating electricity should not themselves remain without power and basic services.
The second and final day was opened by Yasir Husain, Director of the Climate Action Center, who reviewed the proceedings of the first day.
The conference was organised on November 3 and 4 by the Climate Action Center Karachi, Sath (formerly CSIDC), CSSP, PIDC, The Knowledge Forum, Indus Consortium and PRIED.
The conference concluded with a call for a socially just energy transition, transparent governance, environmental protection and meaningful participation of communities in Sindh’s climate and development policies.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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