South Asian countries, especially Pakistan and India, are experiencing severe air pollution. In Pakistan's metropolitan areas, air quality has deteriorated to hazardous levels due to industrialization, population growth, and emissions from vehicles and proliferation of industrial areas. Monitoring air quality is crucial for sustainable urban development. However, the lack of a reliable air quality monitoring system and data poses significant challenges in developing effective plans to improve air quality. Many countries in the region struggle with the high capital, operational, and maintenance costs associated with reference-grade air quality monitoring systems. Our project addresses this issue by utilizing a hybrid system of low-cost sensors to measure air quality. In addition to stationary sensors, we have developed portable sensors mounted on electric three-wheelers. This combination of mobile and stationary sensor networks provides both spatial and temporal variability in air quality readings across the city. This approach reduces the overall number of sensors needed and offers a sustainable model for the long-term viability of air quality monitoring. By integrating low-cost technology with innovative deployment methods, our project aims to create a more affordable and efficient way to monitor and improve air quality in urban areas.

Residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Pakistan rely heavily on natural gas as a fuel source. With the growing population and industrial expansion, the demand for natural gas is expected to rise to 5,710 MMCFD by 2032. However, Pakistan's natural gas reserves are depleting rapidly, and their contribution to the country's gas supply is decreasing each year. To address this issue, various solutions have been proposed. Importing LNG (liquefied natural gas) has been considered, but it may not be a viable long-term option due to the lack of necessary storage facilities, high infrastructure costs, and national climate goals. Additionally, importing LNG would increase the trade deficit and place a significant burden on the national budget. Another option is to import natural gas from neighbouring countries like Iran, but international trade agreements also rule this option out. Shifting residential natural gas load to electricity can provide an effective solution to the respective challenge. In the proposed Project, the aim is to explore the potential, the cost-effectiveness, and the feasibility of partial shifting of residential natural gas load to electricity at the national and consumer levels.

The program is designed to bring about significant change and achieve project objectives through a well-prioritized selection of focused interventions. Over its four-year duration, the program aims to maximize impact by addressing key areas in Pakistan’s power sector, including wholesale market implementation, transmission and distribution (T&D) improvements, and grid load optimization. Key objectives include: Market Development: Establishing the capabilities needed for the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) to ensure the market operator can perform essential functions smoothly before, during, and after its commercial operations date (COD), Competitive Procurement: Implementing market-mandated competitive procurement frameworks and reducing electricity prices through competitive auctions for renewable energy (RE). This will shift Pakistan from its increasing reliance on coal to cleaner energy sources. T&D Upgrades: Enhancing the technical and operational capacities of Pakistan's T&D sector to accommodate market growth and support digitization across the sector. Energy Planning: Assisting the Energy Planning and Resource Center (EPRC) and the National Transmission and Dispatch Commission (NTDC) in adopting modeling capabilities for developing and updating Integrated Energy Plans (IEPs), Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plans (IGCEPs), and Transmission System Expansion Plans (TSEPs). DISCO Improvements: Supporting management and operational enhancements at selected distribution companies (DISCOs) to reduce commercial losses, improve revenues, enhance customer service, and strengthen power sector data security and cyber resilience. Generation Surpluses: Addressing seasonal generation surpluses to improve system utilization, increase electricity use, and support new applications such as electric vehicle (EV) adoption and higher productivity. System Optimization: Optimizing system utilization and economics through better integration of variable renewable energy (VRE), distributed generation (DG), and storage-based augmentation. Overall, the program is aimed at transforming Pakistan’s power sector for better efficiency, sustainability, and reliability.

The implementation of the first indoor air quality monitor in the 'Third Pole of the World' marks a significant milestone for environmental monitoring in this unique region. Known as the Third Pole, it faces increasing environmental challenges, including air pollution. The new indoor air quality monitor will provide real-time data on air pollutants such as PM2.5 and CO2, enabling more precise monitoring of indoor environments. This is especially important in areas where indoor air pollution can have a direct impact on the health of inhabitants. The monitor will support research on the links between air quality, human health, and environmental sustainability, helping policymakers to develop strategies needed for improving air quality in the region.

This initiative aims to improve poor indoor air quality in marginalized communities by introducing sustainable heating and cooking solutions, while also focusing on education and awareness. Many of these lower income communities rely on traditional cooking methods, such as open fires or inefficient stoves, which release harmful pollutants like particulate matter and carbon monoxide, contributing to health issues such as respiratory diseases. The project seeks to promote cleaner, more energy-efficient technologies such as clean cookstoves or solar-powered heating, which can significantly reduce indoor air pollution. Alongside these technical solutions, another important component of the initiative is education, ensuring community members understand the dangers of poor air quality and the benefits of adopting sustainable alternatives. By raising awareness and providing training on proper use and maintenance, the program empowers communities to make informed decisions, leading to a healthier living environment.