In the ongoing global effort to combat climate change, private enterprises are emerging as key players in the battle against carbon emissions. Ahya Technologies, a startup based in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, is at the forefront of this movement, striving to transform the fight against climate change through innovative technology and data-driven solutions.
The company, whose name translates to “rehabilitate or replenish” in Urdu, Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, is addressing a critical gap in the climate action landscape. Despite the increasing emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there is a lack of certified platforms and professionals for data collection, assessment, and processing. Ahya Technologies aims to fill this void with its groundbreaking product, “AhyaOS.”
Salaal Hasan, CEO of Ahya Technologies, explained in an exclusive interview with Geo.tv that “AhyaOS” is Pakistan’s first climate software business. It assists businesses in measuring, reporting, and reducing their emissions. Additionally, the product called “Tawazun” helps organizations generate climate financing through voluntary emissions reductions (VERs), commonly known as carbon credits.
Hasan highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistan in addressing climate change, despite having one of the lowest emissions intensities globally. He pointed out that the private sector in Pakistan struggles with emissions intensity coupled with increasing regulations, a lack of consultants, and inadequate solutions for emissions reduction. According to Hasan, “AhyaOS” aims to provide a transparent and cost-effective GHG operating system to help the private sector overcome these challenges.
The CEO lamented the lack of operating data and its centralization, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data related to buildings, energy, waste, HR, and financials for basic GHG accounting. “AhyaOS” addresses this issue through a data hub and integration capabilities with various distributed systems.
One key challenge Hasan identified is the absence of emission factors, urging the government to establish a national GHG inventory and database in line with the Paris Agreement.
In terms of Ahya’s work in Pakistan, Hasan revealed that the company is collaborating with leading private sector entities in manufacturing, financial services, energy, and technology sectors. The goal is to work with 25 large enterprises and 50 SMEs over the next 18 months, with the aim of reducing two million tCO2e per annum once deployed.
Ahya Technologies offers a comprehensive suite of services through its “AhyaOS” software, providing customers with the tools to measure the carbon emissions and impacts of their activities. The software converts business activities, expenses, supplier information, and employee data into comprehensive carbon footprint reports, ensuring adherence to the latest GHG Protocol guidelines.
The startup’s “Tawazun” service facilitates third-party carbon offsets, connecting organizations with verified project developers to assist in reducing their carbon emissions. Additionally, Ahya provides the “Ahya API,” enabling users across various sectors, including banking, airlines, and freight services, to access live data on the effects of their spending on carbon emissions.
Looking ahead, Hasan shared Ahya Technologies’ roadmap for Pakistan. The company has been actively collaborating with the Climate Change Ministry and recently published an “Issue Brief – Climate Change, Recommendations for Pakistan,” outlining a six-step approach for the government to enhance climate action.
The steps include recalibrating national determined contributions (NDCs) based on sound assumptions, developing a national GHG inventory, building capacity in key sectors, incentivizing a green transition, mandating emissions disclosure, and revolutionizing the policy framework.
Ahya Technologies stands as a pioneering force in the fight against climate change, demonstrating how private enterprises can play a crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges through innovative technologies and strategic partnerships.
