Karachi: The greater and safe consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in a country like Pakistan has emerged as the best fuel option related to the everyday life of poor people as the more LPG is consumed the more it will contribute towards resolution of the issues like environmental degradation, deforestation, and fast depletion of conventional energy resources.
International speakers of a webinar workshop, organized by the World LPG Association (WLPGA), expressed this consensus opinion. The webinar workshop on “Good business practices and an LPG roadmap for Pakistan” was attended by leading stakeholders of the LPG industry from around the world through video conferencing facility. In all 180 people attended the webinar from 27 countries.
Speakers of the webinar workshop were of the consensus viewpoint that much had to be done by the regulator and authorities in Pakistan to promote usage of LPG as a safe and environmental friendly fuel option as for the purpose there should be continuity of the policy and regulatory framework in the country.
They emphasized on the occasion that the proper infrastructure and regulatory mechanism was still missing in Pakistan to ensure supply and consumption of LPG in the safest manner with no threat to the lives of its consumers. Until such a mechanism and facilities are missing, LPG could not acquire its due place in the national energy mix of Pakistan, especially for the poor masses
Speaking on the occasion WLPGA Director David Tyler said that his global organization saw massive opportunity to work together with the players of LPG in Pakistan.
He said that WLPGA should have a vibrant presence in a country like Pakistan where the LPG industry had been growing fast. “There is clearly an interest in seeing the Pakistan’s LPG market develops in a safe and sustainable way and as an association, we want to support you all in doing that,” said Mr. Tyler.
He said the WLPGA did strong advocacy to promote safe, responsible, and good practices concerning supply and consumption of the LPG around the world, as for the purpose it actively engages with relevant stakeholders in different regions.
Mr Tyler said efforts were on so that renewable element should be added to the LPG industry around the world.
He said that LPG industry had an important role to play in the global efforts to promote a low-carbon economy.
He said that his global organization had been advocating the greater usage of LPG as the cheaper and cleaner fuel option that played an important role in the sustainable development of any under-developed country.
He said that the global LGP industry had an important role in achieving the cause of gender equality in many developing countries.
James Rockall, CEO and MD of WLPGA, said that LPG provided the best alternative to people across the globe to switch from the conventional means of energy generation like burning of bio-mass to clean and environment friendly form of energy. He urge that developing countries need to rationalize their energy policies, taxation and prices
He said that introduction of carbon zero LPG was the long-term future of the industry.
He said that from home heating systems to motor vehicles the LPG provided the safe and reliable fuel option as the latest trend was to introduce the hybrid fuel systems so to provide cleaner fuel option along with the LPG.
Mr Rockall said that WLGA was more than willing to work with the local industry players so to introduce all the modern trends for consumption of the LPG.
David Apleton, an LPG industry expert, said that lockdown measures enforced around the world against the spread of the coronavirus had a massive effect on usage of LPG as the fuel for automobiles.
He said that there was a need to do investment to build the infrastructure for extracting LPG as part of the gas production process.
Tanzeem Chowdhury from Bangladesh shared the experience of his country where LPG had been introduced in collaboration with UNHCR as a safe and cleaner fuel option for people in Rohingya refugee camps.
He said that prior to the introduction of LPG as an environment-friendly fuel option the refugees in Rohingya had to rely on firewood for domestic cooking needs that had a massive effect on greenery in the area.
He said that the project had contributed a lot towards the restoration of forests in surroundings of the refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Mr Chowdhry said that once LPG had been introduced as the safer cooking fuel the children of the refugee families were no more being sent for firewood collection as they have now plenty of spare time at their disposal that is being utilized to educate them.
Razi Raziuddin, former CEO of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Development Company, said that the LPG industry in Pakistan should start doing self-monitoring to ensure safe handling, supply, and consumption of its fuel product.
He said that such safe automotive fuel systems for LPG should be introduced, which should minimize the chances of accident and ensure the safety of passengers.
He said the industry should change the trend that an LPG dispensing unit in the country was always found in shabby condition in comparison to a regular fuel station as that was one of the reasons people were not motivated much to consume LPG.
Owais Mir, CEO of Dynamic Engineering & Automation, said that LPG carried the massive potential to secure a much signification position in the national energy mix of Pakistan.
Michael Kelly, Chief Advocacy Officer of WLPGA, said that LPG industry around the world contributed towards achieving five Sustainable Development Goals either direct or in an indirect manner namely gender equality; good health and well-being; sustainable cities and communities; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; affordable clean energy; climate action; decent work and economic growth.
He said that the total estimated value of the social, economic, and environmental benefits of adoption of the LPG as a reliable fuel option for domestic heating needs and vehicular use around the world stood at $54 billion.