Shamima Akhter, Director of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships, and Communications at Unilever Bangladesh Ltd.

The Daily Star (TDS): What role do you see banks playing in promoting environmental sustainability in Bangladesh?

As part of its broader sustainability commitment, City Bank has also pledged to plant one tree for every Green Savings Account opened. In 2024 alone, the bank recorded 20,001 accounts—reflecting strong customer interest and growing public engagement in green banking.

Prime Bank has successfully completed the Proof of Concept (POC) for the “Green LC,” executing Bangladesh’s first inland LC on a locally developed blockchain-based digital trade platform. “Green LC” is Bangladesh’s first-ever locally developed digital trade platform, with Prime Bank issuing the inaugural LC transaction.

Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director and CEO, Eastern Bank

Altogether, our renewable energy initiatives are currently generating approximately 1.57 GWh of clean energy, helping us reduce emissions by more than 700 tonnes annually. Renewable energy is not just a part of our operations; it forms the foundation of our vision for a sustainable digital future.

Bank Asia also expresses its full solidarity with this year’s theme: #BeatPlasticPollution. On this special day, let us take an oath to eliminate plastic use and focus on practical solutions to combat plastic pollution—to save Mother Nature, and in doing so, protect ourselves and future generations.

In the back alleys of Dhaka, plastic bags flutter like defeated flags—caught in drains, wrapped around tree roots, buried in the dust of everyday life.