The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change has called on the government to expedite the shift towards electric vehicles and renewable energy sources amid growing climate concerns.

In a committee meeting on Wednesday, which included Federal Minister for Power Sardar Owais Leghari, chairperson Senator Rehman criticised the slow progress in EV production, noting that only 60,000 units have been produced so far, well below the target of 600,000.

The transport sector is the largest contributor to air pollution in Pakistan, accounting for 48% of emissions.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Industries for not providing adequate data on local EV production and charging infrastructure. While Pakistan aims to install 3,000 EV charging stations by 2030, only eight have been completed to date.

Over 1,000 individuals have registered to set up new charging points, but Senator Sherry emphasised the urgent need for faster expansion. She also urged banks to introduce financing options for EVs to enhance accessibility.

On the renewable energy front, 55% of Pakistan’s electricity comes from renewable sources, with a goal to increase this to 60% by 2030 and 88% in the long term.

The closure of five high-emission furnace oil power plants, which generated 2,500MW, was praised as a significant move towards reducing pollution and cutting costs.

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She called for stronger incentives to attract investments in solar, wind, and hydro energy.

Water scarcity issues were also highlighted, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, with a recommendation for solar-powered irrigation systems to replace traditional methods that contribute to water depletion.

The committee made several key recommendations, including expanding EV charging networks, boosting local EV production, promoting renewable energy in homes and businesses, and enforcing energy-efficient building codes nationwide.