BRAC Bank becomes first in Bangladesh to disclose full carbon footprint

BRAC Bank PLC is among the first in Bangladesh to publicly disclose 100% of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, covering all operations and financing, marking a significant step in financial sector climate transparency.
The 2024 Sustainability and Impact Report notes total emissions of 1,477,468 tCO₂e, spanning all three GHG Protocol scopes.
Under Scope 1 (direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the bank, such as generators and fleet fuel), BRAC Bank reported 1,630 tCO₂e. Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) stood at 16,671 tCO₂e.
Most emissions (1,459,167 tCO₂e) were Scope 3, primarily from financed activities (96%). Remaining Scope 3 sources included travel, procurement, waste, and commuting.By disclosing financed emissions, BRAC Bank sets a national precedent, aligning with PCAF standards for full carbon accounting.
Clean energy investments and solar projects avoided 18,112 tCO₂e, resulting in a net impact of 1,459,356 tCO₂e for 2024.Three sectors—petroleum and chemicals, food and beverage, and metal manufacturing—drive 61.5% of financed emissions, informing the bank's strategy to support low-carbon and decarbonising industries.The reporting framework follows GHG Protocol, GRI, IFRS S1/S2, and includes internal carbon and climate risk tools.
Emissions intensity metrics now inform credit risk, enabling real-time monitoring and paving the way for climate-linked lending.Recent initiatives include financing a 68 MW solar plant to offset 70,000 tCO₂/year and providing BDT 53,357 million for low-carbon technology.This milestone advances Bangladesh's role in global green finance, positioning BRAC Bank advantageously in the eyes of investors and sustainability markets.The bank's climate roadmap includes sectoral decarbonisation, client engagement, and emissions targets for high-emitting borrowers.
This disclosure sets a new benchmark for climate leadership in Bangladesh's banking sector, offering a scalable, data-driven blueprint.