Defossilization with ushering of new, sustainable pathways of renewable energy and development

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Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie

Pakistan still generates a little over half of its electricity from fossil fuels, yet it already secures an unusually high share of power from low carbon sources by global standards, led by hydropower and a growing contribution from wind and solar. This mixed picture captures both risk and opportunity. Staying on a fossil path locks the economy to volatile fuel prices and rising climate and health costs.

Pakistan stands at an inflection point. A decisive turn is needed to realize clean power promises with energy security, green jobs, and healthier air. In 2024 about 53 percent of Pakistan’s electricity came from fossil fuels while 47 percent was low carbon, with hydropower near 19 percent and wind plus solar about 13 percent.

Globally, the direction is now explicit. The first Global Stocktake at COP28 called for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, tripling renewable energy capacity, and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030, with developed countries taking the lead and accelerating the phase down of unabated coal and the phase out of inefficient fossil subsidies. That signal matters for investment, for policy, and for public confidence that a just energy transition is both possible and underway.

Defossilization is also an occupational security imperative. This novel security framework centers sustainability, health, justice, peace, compassion, and truth in how we design systems of work and life (see “Occupational Security: Basics” box). At the heart of this defossilization journey lies the ethics of occupational security, a holistic framework that emphasizes dignity, safety, and justice across all life forms. Unlike traditional energy transitions that focus narrowly on technology or economics, occupational security ensures that both human and non-human well-being is central to the process. It links environmental security with the right to dignified work, community safety, and sustainable futures—making the case that shifting away from fossil fuels is not only an ecological necessity but also a moral responsibility to protect people, livelihoods, and collective security.

For Pakistan, that means replacing hazardous, price exposed fuels with affordable local renewables that safeguard workers and communities, protect ecosystems, and reduce conflict over scarce resources. It also means transparent data, trustworthy institutions, and community participation in decisions about siting, grid upgrades, and skills programs, so that the transition lifts those historically left behind rather than repeating old inequities.

The opportunity space is large. Pakistan has world class solar and wind resources. World Bank analysis shows that meeting today’s electricity demand would require only a very small fraction of national land for solar, and technical studies identify major wind potential concentrated in Sindh’s Gharo–Jhimpir corridor and parts of Baluchistan. If grid and market barriers are removed, these corridors can anchor many gigawatts of reliable, low cost power for homes and industry.

Defossilization is a shared project. Developed countries must match words with finance and technology cooperation at the scale required. After years of shortfalls, OECD data show the collective climate finance goal of 100 billion dollars was finally exceeded in 2022, reaching about 116 billion, but the need is far larger and the balance of grants, adaptation support, and just transition funding remains inadequate. Delivering predictable, accessible finance is essential for countries like Pakistan to build grids, storage, and resilient supply chains while protecting workers through reskilling and social protection.

This cover story sets out a practical route for Pakistan to stay away from new coal and rapidly scale renewables, efficiency, storage, flexible hydropower and pumped storage, sustainable bioenergy where appropriate, green industry, and smarter demand. It frames each step through occupational security so that energy policy becomes people centered policy. The pages that follow map today’s energy system, identify the coal and gas lock ins to avoid, quantify Pakistan’s solar and wind buildout potential, outline grid and storage upgrades, detail financing and industrial strategy, and set expectations for developed countries to finally lead with action, not promises.

Breaking away from coal and gas dependency

Pakistan’s energy system has long been shaped by dependence on imported fossil fuels. Furnace oil and LNG have not only strained foreign reserves but also exposed the economy to extreme price volatility, as witnessed during the global energy crisis of 2022 when imported gas costs surged beyond affordability. The turn to domestic coal in Sindh’s Thar desert, promoted as an alternative, risks locking the country into decades of carbon-intensive infrastructure just as the global tide is shifting away from coal altogether. While marketed as “cheap,” coal carries hidden costs: toxic air pollution, water stress, displacement of local communities, and escalating carbon liabilities as international carbon border adjustment mechanisms begin to penalize high-emission exports.

From the occupational security perspective, reliance on coal and gas represents a direct threat to human and ecological well-being. Coal mining exposes workers to unsafe conditions, respiratory illness, and economic precarity when demand inevitably declines. Gas imports siphon national resources that could instead be invested in renewable projects which generate secure, localized jobs. Moreover, fossil-based power plants exacerbate urban smog, raising health risks for vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, and outdoor workers—while undermining the justice and compassion values at the core of occupational security.

Globally, the developed world carries both historical responsibility and current capacity to lead in defossilization. The United States, EU, Japan, and other advanced economies are still subsidizing fossil fuels at a staggering scale, despite public commitments. A 2024 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirmed that fossil fuel consumption subsidies worldwide exceeded $1 trillion in 2022, with a large share flowing in developed and emerging economies alike. These subsidies distort markets, undermine climate targets, and perpetuate systemic inequities where the Global South, including Pakistan, suffers the brunt of climate impacts without having reaped the benefits of historical fossil development.

To truly unlock a sustainable path, Pakistan must actively resist new coal projects and instead position itself as a leader in renewable expansion. Simultaneously, developed countries must commit to phasing out coal and reducing gas dependence in line with their fair share of climate responsibility. They must also stop exporting coal plants and fossil technology to the Global South, and instead provide financing, technology transfer, and capacity building for renewables. Only in this dual commitment including domestic action by Pakistan and global accountability by developed economies, can defossilization succeed in time to meet climate and development goals.

Unlocking the solar and wind potential

Pakistan has some of the world’s most promising renewable energy resources, particularly solar and wind, which remain vastly underutilized. Solar radiation levels average between 5–7 kWh per square meter per day across much of the country, offering the ability to power homes, schools, and industries with clean and affordable energy. Studies from the World Bank show that meeting today’s entire electricity demand would require only a fraction of Pakistan’s landmass dedicated to solar installations. The technical and economic feasibility of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects is no longer in doubt, with falling costs making solar the cheapest new electricity option in much of the world.

Wind energy is similarly promising. The Gharo–Jhimpir wind corridor in Sindh has already attracted investment, hosting multiple projects with capacities ranging from 50 MW to over 150 MW each. Estimates suggest that this single corridor has the technical potential for several gigawatts of wind capacity, providing consistent supply during the summer monsoon season when demand for cooling peaks. Additional potential exists in Balochistan and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where wind speeds are suitable for utility-scale generation.

From the occupational security perspective, renewable energy development must be designed to create safe, dignified, and long-term employment opportunities. Solar panel assembly, installation, operations, and maintenance require a skilled workforce that can be trained within Pakistan, avoiding over-reliance on foreign contractors. Wind turbine projects offer jobs in construction, logistics, and technical services while also stimulating local supply chains for steel, concrete, and electronics. If implemented responsibly, renewables can anchor community development, empowering rural populations where many solar and wind projects will be located.

Globally, renewables are also the benchmark against which developed countries’ climate responsibility will be measured. The call from COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 demands rapid expansion not only in emerging economies but, most critically, in industrialized nations whose energy footprints remain disproportionately large. By investing in their own renewable buildouts while supporting countries like Pakistan through technology transfer and concessional finance, developed economies can turn pledges into tangible progress.

For Pakistan, the path is clear: accelerate deployment of solar and wind projects, modernize grid systems to integrate variable renewable energy, and design policies that reward community-centered, people-first energy planning. Doing so will not only reduce fossil dependence but also align energy development with the values of justice, sustainability, and compassion central to occupational security.

Diversifying Pakistan’s clean energy mix

While solar and wind stand at the forefront of Pakistan’s renewable energy future, hydropower, bioenergy, and emerging alternatives offer critical pathways to diversify the energy mix and enhance resilience. Together, these sources reduce dependency on fossil fuels, stabilize supply, and create employment opportunities aligned with occupational security values of safety, justice, and sustainability.

Hydropower: From legacy strength to smart flexibility

Hydropower already contributes nearly 20 percent of Pakistan’s electricity. Large dams like Tarbela and Mangla remain central to the grid, but climate variability now demands rethinking how water and power systems interact. Flexible hydropower, including run-of-the-river projects and pumped storage, can provide balancing capacity for variable solar and wind power. Pumped storage in particular offers a proven, low-carbon alternative to fossil gas for grid stability, essentially functioning as a giant “battery” that stores surplus solar energy during the day and releases it at night. Expanding such projects is essential for both energy security and climate adaptation.

Bioenergy: Rural livelihoods and energy access

Bioenergy, when developed responsibly, can provide energy access to rural communities while improving livelihoods. Biogas from agricultural waste, animal manure, and organic residues can fuel household cooking, reduce indoor air pollution, and replace imported LPG cylinders. On a larger scale, biomass plants using crop residues could supply electricity to rural mini-grids, creating localized jobs in collection, processing, and maintenance. However, occupational security principles caution against large-scale monocultures or deforestation for bioenergy, emphasizing the need for sustainable feedstock and protection of ecosystems.

Emerging Alternatives: Geothermal and Hydrogen

Pakistan also has untapped geothermal potential, particularly in northern regions and volcanic hot springs, though exploration is limited. In parallel, the global hydrogen economy is advancing rapidly. For Pakistan, “green hydrogen” produced from renewable electricity could eventually support fertilizer production, steelmaking, or export markets. While these technologies remain at an early stage domestically, building pilot projects now positions Pakistan to join future global clean energy value chains.

Occupational security and community development

Each of these options, namely, hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen carries implications for occupational security. Large dams must account for community displacement and ecological impacts. Biogas programs must ensure affordability and fair access for marginalized households. Hydrogen development must avoid elite capture and guarantee safe, well-regulated working conditions. By integrating values of justice, transparency, and compassion into planning, Pakistan can diversify its clean energy mix while ensuring equitable outcomes.

Aligning institutions with defossilization goals

For Pakistan to transition away from fossil fuels and build a renewable-centered economy, technical progress must be matched with policy reform, financial innovation, and strong governance. Without these enabling pillars, renewable projects will struggle to scale, foreign investment will hesitate, and local communities may not see the benefits of the transition.

Policy reform—clear signals for a clean future

At present, energy policies in Pakistan remain fragmented, often swinging between short-term fossil fixes and hesitant renewable commitments. A comprehensive defossilization roadmap is urgently needed, built on targets aligned with the Paris Agreement and Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Policymakers must commit to no new coal plants, set ambitious renewable portfolio standards, and prioritize energy efficiency. Regulatory clarity on net-metering, grid access, and feed-in tariffs would give private investors the confidence to expand solar and wind at scale.

Financing the transition: From subsidies to sustainable investment

Fossil fuel subsidies continue to drain Pakistan’s fiscal resources, while renewable projects face barriers to concessional finance. Redirecting subsidies from oil and coal toward renewable deployment, energy efficiency, and grid upgrades could shift incentives in the right direction. International climate finance mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) offer opportunities for Pakistan to access concessional funding and technology support. Equally important is developing domestic green finance—such as green bonds, blended finance, and microcredit for household solar systems—that mobilize local capital toward clean energy.

Governance: transparency, inclusion, and occupational security

Good governance is the backbone of a sustainable transition. Transparent procurement systems, anti-corruption safeguards, and community inclusion in planning are critical. Integrating occupational security into governance frameworks ensures that policies prioritize human dignity, safety, and justice. For example, governance should ensure coal-affected workers receive retraining, communities are compensated fairly for land use, and vulnerable groups gain access to clean energy. This people-centered governance approach makes the transition socially acceptable and politically sustainable.

Global dimension: The role of developed countries

Pakistan’s path is linked to global climate politics. Developed countries must not only meet their own commitments but also provide sustained support to countries like Pakistan. This includes delivering on climate finance pledges, ending fossil fuel project financing abroad, and enabling technology transfer in renewables, storage, and green hydrogen. Pakistan’s efforts will only be effective if matched by genuine solidarity and accountability from industrialized economies.

Placing people and the planet at the center of energy change

The journey toward defossilization is not only about technology and finance—it is fundamentally about people and the planet. Communities, workers, and vulnerable groups as well our ecologically vulnerable ecosystems must not be left behind as Pakistan and the world transition away from fossil fuels. Instead, the process must be an opportunity to build resilience, create fair livelihoods, and foster social inclusion.

Community-led renewable energy

Empowering communities to take ownership of renewable projects is one of the strongest ways to ensure equitable benefits. Village-scale solar microgrids, cooperative wind farms, or community-managed biogas plants not only improve access to clean power but also strengthen local governance. Such initiatives align directly with occupational security, as they provide dignified work, build local skills, and ensure that communities share in the benefits of energy transformation rather than becoming passive recipients.

Just transitions for workers

Defossilization cannot mean abandoning workers currently employed in fossil fuel industries. Coal miners, oil refinery staff, and power plant technicians must be provided with structured retraining and pathways into new clean industries. Occupational security highlights that dignified work is central to well-being—therefore, transition policies must include safety nets, vocational training, and income support. International best practices, such as retraining programs in Germany’s Ruhr Valley, can guide Pakistan in designing context-specific pathways.

Building social and climate resilience

Shifting to renewables also strengthens resilience against climate shocks. Communities that generate their own power are less vulnerable to grid outages during monsoonal floods, heatwaves, or droughts. Decentralized systems, supported by local participation, enhance preparedness in the face of disasters. Integrating renewable energy with water conservation, agriculture, and health systems can multiply resilience benefits—ensuring that energy transformation is a foundation for wider well-being.

A global imperative

For developed countries, just transitions also serve as a litmus test of climate justice. Shutting down coal mines in Europe or North America while ignoring worker welfare undermines credibility. Similarly, financing renewable energy abroad while still expanding domestic oil and gas contradicts the principle of solidarity. True leadership requires ensuring fairness at home and abroad. Occupational security offers a lens through which these principles can be institutionalized. By centering justice, dignity, and collective well-being, Pakistan’s defossilization pathway can become both socially inclusive and globally exemplary.

Global unity for defossilization

While Pakistan must pursue its own pathway toward renewable energy, the success of defossilization cannot be achieved in isolation. Fossil fuel dependency is a global problem, and overcoming it requires cooperation, financial support, and technology transfer between nations. For Pakistan, which faces acute climate vulnerabilities while contributing less than one percent of global emissions, solidarity from developed countries is essential.

Technology transfer and knowledge sharing

Developed nations have pioneered advanced renewable technologies such as high-efficiency solar panels, offshore wind turbines, next-generation batteries, and green hydrogen systems. To accelerate the global energy transition, these technologies must be made accessible to developing countries through affordable licensing, collaborative R&D programs, and open innovation platforms. Pakistan, with its young and skilled workforce, could become a hub for renewable energy manufacturing and innovation—if given the necessary technological access.

Climate finance and equitable investment

The commitment made at COP summits to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate finance remains largely unmet. For Pakistan and similar countries, accessing concessional loans and grants is often hampered by complex procedures and conditionalities. Streamlined mechanisms, debt relief tied to climate action, and direct investment into renewable projects can help overcome these barriers. Instruments such as Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), already piloted in South Africa and Indonesia, could provide Pakistan with a structured pathway to phase out coal while building renewable capacity.

Ending fossil fuel expansion globally

True solidarity also requires developed countries to end fossil fuel expansion within their own borders. It is contradictory to fund coal plants or new oil fields abroad while professing climate leadership at home. International institutions such as the G7, World Bank, and IMF must adopt policies that categorically prohibit financing for new fossil infrastructure. Instead, these funds should be redirected toward clean energy, resilience, and community-focused adaptation measures.

Occupational security as a global ethics and principle

At the international level, occupational security offers a unifying framework for defossilization. It emphasizes the right of all people to safe, dignified, and sustainable livelihoods. This framework insists that the transition must not only cut emissions but also deliver justice, protect vulnerable populations, and create opportunities for dignified work across borders. By embedding these values in international agreements, the global transition can move beyond numbers and megawatts to become a truly human-centered process.

A call for defossilization: Toward a just, secure, and sustainable energy future

The urgency of defossilization cannot be overstated. Pakistan stands at a crossroads where continued dependence on coal, oil, and gas would deepen environmental degradation, lock the economy into outdated systems, and endanger millions through worsening climate impacts. Yet, the same crossroads offers an alternative—a bold shift toward renewables, community resilience, and sustainable development anchored in justice and occupational security.

Pakistan’s responsibility and opportunity

Pakistan must commit decisively to no new coal and to gradually phasing out fossil fuel imports, which drain foreign reserves and increase energy insecurity. By scaling up solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy, the nation can not only provide reliable electricity but also generate millions of green jobs. Anchoring this in occupational security ensures that workers, communities, and future generations benefit equitably from the transformation.

Developed countries’ role in global defossilization

Developed nations must honor their historical responsibility by delivering on climate finance pledges, accelerating technology transfer, and ending fossil fuel subsidies at home and abroad. They must recognize that climate justice is inseparable from energy justice: a Pakistan striving to defossilize must not be abandoned without support. International solidarity, framed through occupational security, can help build a global movement that centers human dignity and fairness.

A pathway to collective security

Energy security, economic security, and environmental security are interdependent. Defossilization is not only about decarbonization; it is about securing the occupations, livelihoods, and dignity of people across the globe. In Pakistan, where climate shocks already threaten millions, the energy transition must be designed to uplift communities, enhance resilience, and restore ecosystems.

Defossilization is not a burden but an opportunity. It opens a pathway toward a fairer society, cleaner environment, and stronger economy. By aligning national policies, mobilizing financial support, modernizing infrastructure, and fostering international cooperation, Pakistan and the global community can chart a sustainable course and steer clear from the existential threats posed by global climate change.

Occupational Security – Protecting People and Planet Together

What is Occupational Security Occupational security is a holistic, values-based framework that views all life—human and non-human—as interconnected and deserving of dignity, safety, and sustainability. It redefines “security” not as military or state control but as the collective flourishing of people, communities, animals, and ecosystems through just and meaningful occupations.

Core Values

• Sustainability: Human livelihoods must regenerate rather than deplete the natural systems on which all species depend.

• Justice: Fairness across people, generations, and species ensures that no group—human or ecological—is marginalized for the benefit of others.

• Peace: Reducing conflicts that arise from resource extraction and ecological degradation while nurturing harmony between humans and nature.

• Compassion: Recognizing the intrinsic worth of non-human life and acting with empathy toward all living beings.

• Authenticity: Aligning occupations and governance with truth, transparency, and respect for ecological and social realities.

  
  

Why it Matters for Energy Transitions Defossilization and renewable energy pathways guided by occupational security are not just about switching technologies. They are about reshaping human-environment relationships so that new occupations in clean energy also protect oceans, forests, wildlife, and ecosystems. In this way, occupational security ensures that defossilization is not only a human-centered transition but also a planetary one, safeguarding life in all its forms..

Subh-e-Nau: A beacon for renewable energy and sustainability in Pakistan

Respected Mr. Awais Leghari, Federal Minister of Energy, a supporter of sustainability and Subh-e-Nau Monthly with SN Chairperson Mrs. Shahida Kausar Farooq 

For over three decades, Subh-e-Nau has been at the forefront of environmental awareness and action in Pakistan, championing a green and just transition toward renewable energy. Through its publications, community initiatives, youth engagement, and high-level policy advocacy, Subh-e-Nau has relentlessly pushed the envelope on issues such as deforestation, climate change, clean air, sustainable agriculture, and energy equity. Whether raising awareness about solar and wind potential, or highlighting the dangers of fossil fuel dependency, the magazine has consistently provided a platform for science-based environmental discourse that is both locally grounded and globally aware.

In a landmark moment, Subh-e-Nau’s Chairperson and Chief Editor recently met with Mr. Awais Leghari, Federal Minister for Energy. This meeting symbolizes a powerful confluence of civil society leadership and federal policy vision, both united in their goal to move Pakistan toward a cleaner, fairer energy future. Subh-e-Nau remains committed to working with ministries, scientists, and citizens alike to transform the country’s energy landscape and help Pakistan emerge as a leader in climate resilience and renewable innovation.

From publishing to planting trees, from writing to resisting coal — Subh-e-Nau stands for sustainability.