UNDP is honoured to have technically supported the EBL Climate Change Action Awards 2025. It has extended technical assistance as a jury board member. This esteemed initiative, organized by Eastern Bank PLC in collaboration with the German, French, and Danish embassies in Bangladesh, celebrates outstanding contributions to climate resilience and sustainability. At UNDP, we remain committed to empowering local actors and strengthening community resilience to climate change. By recognizing innovative solutions and dedicated efforts, this award program underscores the critical role of locally driven climate action in building a sustainable future. UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative, Sonali Dayaratne, and LoGIC Project Coordinator, A K M Azad Rahman, proudly represented the initiative, bringing technical expertise to the selection process and celebrating groundbreaking climate innovations.
Five enterprises and organisations were honoured at the EBL Climate Change Action Awards 2025 for their outstanding contributions to addressing climate challenges in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur handed over the crests to the winners in five distinct categories as the chief guest at the event, which was held at the InterContinental Dhaka.
Palki Motors Limited won the award in the green manufacturing category, Centre for Housing and Building Research in energy efficiency, Dr Chashi in climate-smart agriculture, Joler Chobi Matir Chobi in climate education and policy advocacy, and BRAC Microfinance in climate adaptation and resilience.
The Centre for Housing and Building Research (HBRC) was honoured for its work in advocating environmentally sustainable housing solutions. By promoting alternative building materials such as ferrocement and energy-efficient concrete blocks, HBRC aims to reduce reliance on energy-intensive clay bricks.
Dr Chashi, a digital agriculture platform, was recognized for empowering farmers, gardeners, and agro-dealers with AI-driven tools to optimize crop health, enhance yields, and foster environmental sustainability. Joler Chobi Matir Chobi, a community-driven climate education initiative, was awarded for its unique approach to raising awareness about the climate crisis and adaptation strategies through cinema. BRAC Microfinance was celebrated for its climate adaptation initiatives, including crop and livestock insurance, climate-resilient farming technologies, and large-scale tree plantations.
The opportunities and potential for achieving gains through the green economy and sustainable economic transformation are enormous, according to Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, who said that Bangladesh must pursue these goals.
“I believe our financial community, supported by development partners and the rapid technological innovations occurring globally, can drive this transformation,” the governor said at the EBL Climate Change Action Awards yesterday.
The Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), in partnership with the German, French, and Danish embassies in Bangladesh, hosted the inaugural edition of the awards, where five enterprises and organisations were honoured for their contributions to addressing climate challenges in Bangladesh.
Mansur, as the chief guest at the event held at the InterContinental Dhaka, handed over the awards to the winners in five distinct categories. The central bank governor emphasised that Bangladesh is actively working to enhance its contribution to emission control as part of the global community.
“We see that the readymade garments sector has responded very positively to mitigation efforts,” said Mansur, a prominent economist. “The number of certified green RMG factories has already exceeded 200—the highest in the world—and their quality is excellent.”
Therefore, he expressed confidence that nearly all factories in the sector would become green over the next 10 years. In his opening remarks, EBL Managing Director and CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar said the bank has actively integrated climate-conscious policies across its operations as part of their commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We are the first bank in Bangladesh to initiate carbon accounting. Over 42 percent of our total lending is in sustainable finance,” said the CEO.
Dignitaries at the event included EBL Chairman Md Showkat Ali Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar, German Ambassador Achim Tröster, Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne. The selection process saw 238 individuals and organisations submit entries for consideration.
The Center for Participatory Research and Development conducted an initial screening, shortlisting 26 nominees. The jury panel of industry experts then selected the final five winners, one from each category.
According to EBL, the award programme will be an annual event, further reinforcing Bangladesh’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The Daily Star was the media partner of the programme.
The news was originally published on The Daily Star
