Bangladesh’s standing on the world stage in building an environmentally friendly and sustainable garment industry has grown stronger. Four more ready-made garment (RMG) factories have earned the internationally recognised LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, taking the number of LEED-certified garment factories in the country to 290. Of these, 125 are platinum, 145 are gold and the rest are silver and certified level. Most notably, 53 of the world’s 100 highest-scoring LEED-certified factories are now in Bangladesh — a unique achievement compared with any other country and a reflection of Bangladesh’s leadership in sustainable industrialisation. Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and chief executive officer of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, gave the information to Bangla Tribune.
Of the four newly certified factories, two achieved platinum, one gold and one silver level. Canvas Garments Pvt Ltd, in the North Nasirabad industrial area of Chattogram, earned platinum with 90 points under the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings v4.1 rating system. Matrix Sweaters Ltd, in Chandana, Gazipur, earned platinum with 88 points under the same system. Karim Textiles Ltd, in Kaliakair, Gazipur, earned gold with 73 points, and Karim Tex Ltd, in Dhamrai, Dhaka, earned silver with 53 points.
LEED certification is one of the world’s most widely accepted recognitions for environmentally friendly buildings and industrial plants, awarded when a factory meets set standards on energy saving, efficient water use, reduced carbon emissions, waste management, use of natural light and air, working environment and sustainable infrastructure. With major fashion brands in Europe, the United States and elsewhere now prioritising environmentally friendly factories, the certification is not only a mark of prestige but also a powerful tool for staying ahead in international competition.
Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest garment exporter. Mohiuddin Rubel said the addition of four more LEED-certified factories was a matter of great pride for the country’s garment industry, and that Bangladesh’s 53 factories among the world’s top 100 highest-scoring proved the country was leading the world in sustainable, environmentally friendly production. He said international buyers now expected not only competitive prices but also environmentally friendly and responsible production processes, and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs had successfully adapted to that change. To sustain the progress, he said, small and medium factories must also be brought under the green transition, alongside a focus on productivity, technology, skilled human resources and product diversification. Experts noted that competitors such as Vietnam, India, Cambodia and Indonesia were also investing rapidly in sustainable industry.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report