In response to the escalating climate threats Pakistan faces, Renewables First and New Energy Nexus have joined forces to launch Climate Innovation Pakistan (CLIP), a national platform aimed at accelerating homegrown climate technology solutions. This groundbreaking initiative was officially introduced during a ceremony at the National Incubation Centre, marking a significant step in tackling the pressing climate challenges through innovation and tech-driven solutions.
Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions. This vulnerability makes the need for effective climate solutions even more critical. The partnership between Renewables First and New Energy Nexus is designed to foster innovation in the country’s climate tech sector, especially by supporting early-stage ventures that can play a significant role in mitigating environmental risks and promoting sustainable practices.
The launch of CLIP features two core components that will help lay the foundation for Pakistan’s climate tech ecosystem. First, Renewables First is establishing a Climate Tech Incubator, which will offer a tailored curriculum to nurture early-stage climate tech startups. The second component is the New Energy Academy, which aims to upskill the solar industry workforce, empowering professionals with the skills needed to meet the growing demand for solar energy solutions in Pakistan.
Muhammad Bilal Abbasi, General Manager of Ignite Funds, commended the initiative, emphasizing that CLIP not only strengthens Pakistan’s startup ecosystem but also contributes to economic growth. He noted that Ignite’s Incubator would complement CLIP’s efforts to build a sustainable and innovative climate tech pipeline. “This is exactly the kind of initiative Pakistan needs to build a robust startup ecosystem and address the country’s pressing climate challenges,” Abbasi added.
Stanley Ng, Global Partnerships Director at New Energy Nexus, shared the organization’s experience in supporting climate tech innovation across the South Asian region. He highlighted the importance of the New Energy Academy in training the solar workforce, pointing out that it aligns with the nation’s broader goals of energy sustainability and job creation.
Aafaq Ali, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Solar Association, also endorsed the collaboration, calling it a timely and crucial step in improving solar installation quality across Pakistan. He stressed the importance of addressing the quality gap in the solar industry to meet the country’s renewable energy goals.
In addition to these initiatives, the launch event featured a whitepaper presentation by Ahtasam Ahmad from Renewables First titled “Pakistan’s Climate Tech Opportunity.” The paper outlined the challenges and untapped potential within the nation’s emerging startup ecosystem, presenting a roadmap for scaling the climate tech vertical. This presentation set the stage for a panel discussion that explored the role of Ecosystem Support Organizations (ESOs) in fostering a viable climate tech pipeline.
The panel discussion revealed several key insights into the future of climate tech in Pakistan. Experts agreed that impact investment is essential for advancing innovation in this space. However, they emphasized that unlocking this funding requires stronger collaboration between public and private sectors, academia, and industry. The discussion also highlighted the importance of offering customized support models for early-stage startups, tailored to their specific needs and stages of development.
Several participants in the discussion also pointed out the importance of gender inclusion within the climate tech space. Zainab Saeed, a key advocate for women in tech, stressed the untapped potential of women-led ventures in climate tech. She called for more intentional efforts from ESOs to de-risk investments for female founders by providing tailored mentorship, capital access, and addressing systemic barriers such as gendered perceptions of risk.
The conversation underscored the urgent need for specialized incubation programs, capacity-building curricula, and a balanced mix of local and international expertise. With the right policy support and ecosystem investments, Pakistan’s climate tech sector stands at a pivotal moment for disruption, innovation, and long-term impact.
The CLIP platform represents a bold new frontier for Pakistan’s climate tech sector, with the potential to lead the region in sustainable innovation and help mitigate some of the environmental challenges faced by the country. By fostering a community of entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem players, this collaboration promises to pave the way for the development of impactful, locally grown climate solutions.
