In a landmark initiative to recognize and promote sustainability efforts in Bangladesh, Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), in collaboration with the German, French, and Danish embassies, hosted the EBL Climate Change Action Awards 2025 on February 27 at InterContinental Dhaka. The event celebrated five groundbreaking climate initiatives, highlighting innovation, resilience, and sustainability in addressing environmental challenges.
CPRD’s in the Selection Process
The Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) played a crucial role in ensuring a rigorous and transparent selection process. CPRD conducted the initial screening, shortlisting 26 nominees from a competitive pool of 238 submissions. This process ensured that only the most impactful and scalable projects moved forward for final evaluation.
Furthermore, Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of CPRD, was an esteemed jury member, contributing his expertise in climate policy and sustainability to the final selection of winners. His participation underscored CPRD’s commitment to fostering innovation, climate resilience, and policy-driven solutions in Bangladesh.
Recognizing Excellence in Climate Action
| A Distinguished Jury Panel The final selection of winners was conducted by a panel of industry experts, including: Dr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus, BRAC University Syed Matiul Ahsan, Programme Advisor, Royal Danish Embassy AKM Azad Rahman, Project Coordinator, UNDP Bangladesh Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, CPRD Yann Riegel, Deputy Head, Economics Department, Embassy of France in Bangladesh Jan-Rolf Janowski, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Germany in Dhaka Florian Hollen, Counsellor, Head of German Development Cooperation, Embassy of Germany in Dhaka |
The awards acknowledged outstanding contributions across five key thematic areas, aiming to inspire and scale transformative climate solutions:
Green Manufacturing – Palki Motors Limited for pioneering Bangladesh’s first homegrown electric vehicle (EV) production, reducing fossil fuel dependency and urban air pollution.
Energy Efficiency – Centre for Housing and Building Research (HBRC) for promoting eco-friendly construction materials like ferrocement and energy-efficient concrete blocks.
Climate-Smart Agriculture – Dr. Chashi Inc. for developing AI-powered smart farming Solutions, benefiting over 15,000 farmers with real-time crop health monitoring and optimized yield management.
Climate Education & Policy Advocacy – Joler Chobi Matir Chobi, a unique film-based climate education initiative, raises awareness through storytelling and interactive discussions.
Climate Adaptation & Resilience – BRAC Microfinance for pioneering climate-focused financial solutions, including microinsurance, climate-resilient farming, and large-scale reforestation.
Commitment to a Sustainable Future
The awards ceremony was graced by Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, who emphasized the critical role of the financial sector in driving sustainable economic transformation. He highlighted the readymade garments sector’s leadership in green industrial practices, expressing confidence that nearly all RMG factories in Bangladesh will be green-certified within the next decade.
Speaking at the event, EBL Managing Director and CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to climate-conscious banking, stating:
“EBL is the first bank in Bangladesh to initiate carbon accounting, with over 42% of our total lending directed toward sustainable finance. Through initiatives like these awards, we aim to accelerate climate action and support impactful solutions.”
A Growing Platform for Climate Innovation
The EBL Climate Change Action Awards will continue as an annual initiative, fostering a culture of sustainability, innovation, and policy leadership in Bangladesh. By recognizing and amplifying transformative climate solutions, EBL and its partners, including CPRD, aim to mobilize greater action toward a greener, more resilient Bangladesh.
