“We believe it is critical to celebrate those who translate commitment into action through impactful climate solutions.”

Ali Reza Iftekhar

Managing Director

EBL

EBL is one of the leading financial institution in Bangladesh dedicated to fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship through innovative green finance and strategic climate action initiatives.

THE DAILY STAR (TDS): What is the vision behind these awards and the specific impact you hope to achieve?

ALI REZA IFTEKHAR (ARI): The EBL Climate Change Action Awards recognise and amplify impactful climate solutions driving change in Bangladesh. By celebrating those who translate commitment into action, we spotlight innovation in green manufacturing and climate-smart agriculture. This initiative aims to inspire replication, attract investment, and foster collaboration for a sustainable future. Ultimately, the program honors pioneers protecting the environment through practical local solutions, accelerating the transition toward a resilient and climate-smart economy for the benefit of all.

TDS: How will these awards influence and transform the sustainability landscape in Bangladesh?

ARI: These awards act as a powerful catalyst for change within the sustainability landscape. By formally recognising high-impact initiatives through a transparent selection process, the programme helps set clear benchmarks for what meaningful climate action looks like. The awards bring visibility to successful models that can be scaled or adapted across different sectors. This encourages diverse industries to adopt sustainable practices and motivates organisations to integrate climate considerations into their core strategies. Importantly, the awards also help bridge the gap between innovation and policy discussions. By highlighting solutions that align with national priorities, the programme contributes to a more coordinated and action-orientated landscape in the country. It promotes a culture where environmental stewardship is valued as a key pillar of corporate success.

TDS: What other strategic measures is EBL taking to implement real climate action?

ARI: Beyond the awards, we have embedded climate responsibility into our core business strategy. We are the first bank in Bangladesh to initiate carbon accounting. Currently, over eighty per cent of our total lending portfolio is dedicated specifically to sustainable finance. We measure emissions from our financed portfolio and our own supply chain to ensure transparency. To reduce direct emissions, we use sustainable aviation fuel for document transportation to achieve a thirty per cent carbon reduction. We are developing a comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap that aims to exceed national climate targets. Additionally, we use a Climate Risk Assessment Module to evaluate physical and transition risks. This ensures that our framework aligns with global standards and supports international disclosure requirements.