Stakeholders at a meeting expressed the views that industries of Bangladesh will have to pursue green growth by reducing carbon emission and preserving bio-diversity in a bid to pursue sustainable growth and survive the global market.
The event tiled “Bangladesh’s Road to Net-Zero (Carbon Neutrality)–Role of Industry and Commerce” was organized by the Bangladesh–German Chamber and Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) in the city on Monday.
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam while speaking as the chief guest at an event said that the readymade garment industry of Bangladesh must attend sustainability in the mid and long run to survive in the global market. Md Atiqul Islam, also former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said green growth of the sector is important in the context of climate change.
Citing an example of a school at Bailey Road, the DNCC mayor some 20,000 cars are parked in front school. He said introduction of the school bus can help reduce traffic jam and increase socialization in the society.
Atiqul Islam “Now that the risks and dangers of climate change are clear, we need to jointly find immediate solutions.”
He invited BGCCI members to take the initiative and work with DNCC regarding launching school busses in the North City Corporation area and set an example leveraging its 300 strong membership base with a direct contribution to net zero.
He also mentioned the challenges that he is experiencing in recovering and cleaning the city’s canals and waste management
Former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Managing Director of Plummy Fashions Limited Md Fazlul Haque said after Rana Plaza incident that claimed lives of several hundred garment workers, environmental, safety, human rights and carbon issues are getting priority in the global market.
He said that Bangladesh readymade garment sector has the some 180 platinum plants, highest in the region.
Dr. Sebastian Groh, Managing Director of SOLshare in his presentation laid emphasis on decarbonised energy, energy efficiency, energy consumption reduction and carbon capture and storage, preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, minimisation of pollution and sustainable sourcing.
The event was opened up by its Chair, Dr. Sebastian Groh, VP at BGCCI and the Managing Director of the climate tech company SOLshare.
Senior vice president of BGCCI Tarun Patwary gave his welcome remarks pointing to Bangladesh’s commitment to net zero by 2050. Senior vice-president of the BGCCI Muin Uddin Mazumder also spoke on the occasion.
Prof. Dr. Saleemul Huq, OBE, delivered his keynote marking out that climate change is very real and here right now, citing the recent flood in Pakistan as an example.
He clarified that this disaster is not caused by climate change but significantly intensified and occurring more often due to the effects of climate change.
CEO of IDCOL Alamgir Morshed, CFO of SOLshare Daniel Ciganovic and Project Manager of GIZ Bangladesh Dr. Michael Klode also spoke on the occasion .