Five organisations win EBL Climate Change Action Awards

Five organisations have been honoured for innovative and scalable climate solutions at the second edition of the EBL Climate Change Action Awards 2026, hosted by Eastern Bank PLC (EBL).

The awards ceremony, held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka yesterday, brought together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and development partners.

At the event, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur stressed the private sector’s critical role in advancing climate resilience and sustainable finance.

He noted that many leaders in the readymade garment sector are transforming their factories into green facilities, while a growing number of private industries are generating power from solar energy and investing in renewable sources.

Mansur also said Bangladesh is ahead of many neighbouring countries in terms of early response to climate change, adding that the BB is actively promoting sustainable finance.

Banks, he said, have responded very positively to these initiatives.

As a regulator, he said the BB remains committed to supporting sustainable finance to mitigate climate-related risks, while seeking continued support from the international community for environmental sustainability.

However, stressing that Bangladesh cannot rely entirely on external assistance, he said strengthening domestic capacity by engaging local communities and promoting innovation is crucial to address climate change.

The annual awards, organised by EBL in partnership with the embassies of Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden, along with the delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, recognise excellence across five categories -- green manufacturing, energy efficiency, climate-smart agriculture, climate education and policy advocacy, and climate adaptation and resilience. The Daily Star was the media partner of this year’s event.

Siam City Cement (Bangladesh) Limited won the green manufacturing award for its low-clinker cement product, INSEE ECO Plus+.

The product has been developed especially for saline-prone coastal regions. By reducing clinker content to 45-50 percent and using supplementary materials such as fly ash and slag, the product cuts carbon emissions by 46 percent compared to ordinary Portland cement.

Endorsed by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), the solution offers improved durability and chloride resistance and aligns with Bangladesh’s climate action roadmap, Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 and the Paris Agreement, while promoting circular economy practices in construction.

Cassetex Ltd received the energy efficiency award for establishing Bangladesh’s first distributed lithium-ion battery swapping network, aimed at replacing hazardous lead-acid batteries.

The start-up’s traceable, solar-powered, pay-as-you-go model addresses widespread lead pollution risks and aligns with the Renewable Energy Policy 2025. The initiative is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 1.35 million tonnes annually. Users have reported lower energy costs and higher income levels.

Youth Action for Sustainable Future (YASF) was recognised in the climate-smart agriculture category for introducing a climate-resilient agroecology model in Mehendiganj of Barishal. Using bamboo and plastic drum-based floating structures, the system secures fish nets during floods

and enables vegetable cultivation.

Piloted in three community ponds, the model increased fish survival rates to 78 percent and reduced losses by up to 22 percent, offering a low-cost alternative to conventional embankments.

Somoy Nature won the climate education and policy advocacy award for transforming abandoned land into a biodiverse forest ecosystem through regenerative agriculture.

By integrating fruit trees, medicinal plants and timber with organic fertilisers and multi-layered planting, the initiative has improved soil health and achieved a high plant survival rate, positioning it as a scalable model for climate resilience and food security.

Green Delta Insurance PLC was honoured in the climate adaptation and resilience category for protecting more than 1.6 million vulnerable households through parametric insurance solutions.

Since launching the country’s first weather-index crop insurance in 2015, the insurer has expanded coverage to floods, cyclones and heatwaves across 50 districts, disbursing over Tk 232 million through automated mobile payouts.

The awardees were selected through a two-stage process, with the Center for Participatory Research and Development shortlisting nominations and an independent jury assessing impact, scalability, innovation and long-term sustainability.

EBL Managing Director Ali Reza Iftekhar said the initiatives demonstrated the strength of locally driven solutions in addressing climate risks through cross-sector collaboration.

The ceremony was also addressed by EBL Chairman Md Showkat Ali Chowdhury and ambassadors from Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden and the European Union.