Green growth the way to survival in global market: Stakeholders

Bangladesh will have to pursue green growth by reducing carbon emission and preserving biodiversity in a bid to pursue sustainable growth and survive the global market, stakeholders said.

They made the observation at an event titled "Bangladesh's Road to Net-Zero (Carbon Neutrality)–Role of Industry and Commerce", organised by the Bangladesh–German Chamber and Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) in the city on Monday, a press release said.

Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam  speaking as the chief guest said that the readymade garment industry of Bangladesh must attain sustainability in the mid and long run to survive in the global market.

Atiqul, also former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said green growth of the sector is important in the context of climate change.

Citing an example of a school in Bailey Road, the DNCC mayor said some 20,000 cars are parked in front of the school. He said introduction of a school bus can help reduce traffic jams and increase socialisation in the society, the press release added.

 "Now that the risks and dangers of climate change are clear, we need to jointly find immediate solutions," he said.

Former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Managing Director of Plummy Fashions Limited Md Fazlul Haque said Bangladesh readymade garment sector has 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.

Groh explained that while a critical mass of the world's largest companies and countries have already made net zero pledges, it is not always clear what that exactly entails. 

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 .