KARACHI: Highlighting multiple challenges being faced at the global and national level, speakers at an international conference held on Friday at Karachi University (KU) underscored the need for sustainable, integrated solutions designed through research, innovation and collaboration.

The conference — Sustainable Green Energy, Environment, and Digital Innovations — was jointly organised by KU’s Department of Chemical Engineering and the Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP).

Prof Iqbal Muhammad Mujtaba, associated with the University of Bradford (UK), said societies were needed to move toward sustainable, resilient, intelligent, and harmonious systems, with near-zero water and soil pollution, as climate change, environmental degradation and resource shortages intensified.

“River basins shared by multiple countries—such as India and Bangladesh, and India and Pakistan—require not only scientific and technological expertise but also continuous and effective political dialogue between governments,” he stressed.

Highlighting the need for water conservation, he said a 10-minute shower consumed about 90 litres of water, while a bathtub used 190 litres. Reducing shower time to five minutes could save 45–50 per cent of water.

On food waste, he cited the UN data showing that in 2020, households worldwide discarded nearly one billion meals daily, while 783 million people faced hunger and one-third of the global population experienced food insecurity.

“Producing wasted food consumes 250,000 cubic meters of water and 1.4bn hectares of land (28pc of global agricultural land). It also contributes 3.3bn tons of CO-equivalent greenhouse gases annually,” he told the audience.

In his remarks, Chairman IEP-Karachi Centre Engr Muhammad Farooq Arabi said the conference’s theme held extraordinary importance.

“Today’s unprecedented challenges—climate change, energy insecurity, environmental degradation, and rapid digital transformation—require integrated, modern, and sustainable digital solutions, not isolated measures,” he said, emphasising that local scientists should play their role in promoting clean renewable energy and protecting the environment.

President IEP Engr Sohail Bashir stated that national institutions and universities noted that future engineering solutions would not emerge from individual efforts but rather through strong collaboration.

“Today’s world needs responsible progress, sustainable innovation and the technology that serves humanity and protects the planet.”

He noted that Pakistan stood at a critical juncture with one of the youngest populations globally, a rapidly growing engineering workforce, and immense potential in renewable energy resources.

“We have the strong foundations needed for sustainable transformation, which can be realised through effective policy, research, and collaboration.”

Dr Samreen Hussain, vice chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, talked about the need to properly dispose of e-waste.

According to her, the world generated 62m e-waste in 2022, which is expected to increase to 82m in 2030.

“As AI-driven waste management systems, robotic disassembly methods, and green energy solutions are being introduced, the rapid pace of digital technology produces new devices daily, further adding to e-waste,” she noted, adding that while many countries had adopted policies for effective e-waste management, Pakistan lagged far behind.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2026