The electric vehicle (EV) market in Pakistan faces a blend of challenges and opportunities as it transitions towards a more sustainable future. The transport sector, a significant consumer of carbon-intensive fuels (gasoline, diesel, CNG), contributes substantially to global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. In Pakistan, the shift to EVs is driven by the need to curtail the high cost of imported fossil fuels and the need to reduce carbon emissions. In this backdrop, this study conducts a market assessment of major challenges and opportunities that exist for EV uptake while also developing decarbonization pathways through scenario-based modeling using the Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP). Through a mixed-method approach, this study reveals that the key hurdles include the lack of charging infrastructure, the high costs of EVs, limited domestic production, and insufficient public awareness. Overcoming these challenges requires coordinated efforts in policymaking, infrastructure development, and public education. The successful adoption of EVs promises enhanced energy security, reduced environmental impacts, and economic benefits through decreased oil imports and lower operational costs.

This study examines Pakistan’s steel sector’s readiness to comply with the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which mandates verified emissions disclosures for carbon-intensive imports. Although the sector primarily uses electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, recognized for its lower emissions, Pakistan lacks a formal Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework to support product-level emissions certification. Through qualitative research, including stakeholder engagements and policy analysis, the study identifies key barriers related to emissions data, institutional capacity, and trade exposure. This study proposes actionable policy recommendations to strengthen MRV systems, facilitate compliance, and enhance the sector’s competitiveness in regulated markets.

The global steel industry emits 1.92 tons of CO₂ per ton of output and faces urgent pressure to decarbonize. In Pakistan, the sector accounts for 0.29 tons of CO₂ per ton of output, with limited mitigation frameworks in place. Green hydrogen (GH2)-based steelmaking offers a strategic pathway toward decarbonization. However, realizing its potential depends on access to renewable energy. Despite Pakistan’s substantial technical wind potential of 340 GW, grid limitations currently restrict wind power to only 4% of national electricity generation. This study explores GH₂ production through sector coupling and power wheeling, repurposing curtailed wind energy from Sindh to supply Karachi’s steel industry, and proposing a phased roadmap for GH, enabling fossil fuel substitution, industrial resilience, and alignment with global carbon-border regulations.

The paper discusses the economic and infrastructural challenges preventing the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan. It focuses on key factors such as affordability, consumer preferences, and the overall readiness of the market. Based on a segment-wise comparison, the analysis reveals that four-wheeler EVs carry an initial price premium of 20 to 64 percent over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with payback periods ranging from 11 to 25 years, placing them out of reach for most middle-income consumers. In contrast, electric two- and three-wheelers—comprising more than 90 percent of registered vehicles—offer a significantly more practical and affordable pathway for mass adoption. These vehicles exhibit minimal upfront cost differences, annual operational savings exceeding PKR 62,000, and short payback periods of just 4 to 6 months, making them highly feasible in the local context. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach using national price data, vehicle registration records, and international case studies from India, Kenya, and Norway. It evaluates financing innovations such as battery leasing, concessional green loans, and carbon-credit-linked microfinance, and outlines a consumer-focused policy framework that emphasizes financial inclusion, decentralized infrastructure development, and phased implementation strategies. By aligning global lessons with Pakistan’s socioeconomic and infrastructural realities, the paper offers a scalable and inclusive roadmap for accelerating EV adoption through targeted, consumer-driven solutions.

The cement industry accounts for 7% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with Pakistan’s industry emitting 8.9 million tons annually. Existing decarbonization efforts are insufficient due to technological and policy constraints. CCS presents several challenges, including high costs and energy requirements, as well as advanced monitoring requirements. Policy challenges include the lack of clear regulatory frameworks and incentives for CCS deployment. This study uses scenario analysis with the Low-Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP) to investigate the viability of CCS in meeting Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and net-zero targets. According to the results, CCS has the potential to reduce emissions by 18 Mt under the NDC scenario and attain net-zero status by 2050; however, it will require robust policy support, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.

This study aims to analyze the existing market status of lighting technologies in Pakistan, the existing policy and regulatory framework, and the key driving factors which have led to the market growth of LED technology in both rural and urban areas. The results obtained from an extensive survey backed by the literature on the policy landscape of energy efficiency showed that LED technology has penetrated approximately 95% of the existing market. With a low payback period and high return rates, the entire transition toward LED lighting can lower mercury pollution by 700 kg, lower carbon dioxide by 33,000 kt, and save USD 6.5 billion in the form of electricity bills. This transition has been mainly driven by the low cost of technology resulting from regulatory support in the form of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPs), labeling schemes, and reduced taxation on both sales and manufacturing.