Impactful solutions driving: A green future

Eastern Bank PLC hosted the 2nd EBL Climate Change Action Awards 2026 on January 26 at the Radisson Blu Dhaka. This annual initiative is held in partnership with the European Union and embassies of Germany, France, Denmark, and Sweden. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur attended as the Chief Guest and EBL Managing Director Ali Reza Iftekhar was also present. The following EBL Climate Action Awards 2026 winners demonstrate excellence in environmental sustainability through locally-led initiatives in five categories: Green Manufacturing, Energy Efficiency, Climate Smart Agriculture, Climate Education, and Adaptation and Resilience. 

An approach towards green manufacturing

INSEE ECO Plus+ is a green cement launched by Siam City Cement (Bangladesh) Limited in 2024. Siam City Cement (Bangladesh) has secured the EBL Climate Change Action Award for its innovative approach to green manufacturing in Bangladesh. It is specifically engineered to withstand the aggressive salinity and corrosive soil conditions of Bangladesh’s coastal regions. By reducing clinker content to approximately 45–50 per cent through the integration of industrial by-products like slag and fly ash, the product achieves a 46 per cent lower carbon footprint than traditional Ordinary Portland Cement. It directly supports national climate commitments and global sustainability goals. Despite its low-clinker formulation, it provides superior durability, high surface resistivity, and enhanced chloride resistance. INSEE ECO Plus+ ensures a longer structural lifespan for infrastructure without compromising on compressive strength. Validated by rigorous scientific testing and technical partnerships, INSEE ECO Plus+ represents a transformative shift toward climate-smart construction and circular economy principles in the Bangladeshi market.

Sustainability cannot remain one‑sided from the seller’s perspective alone; it becomes meaningful only when products reach consumers who are aware and concerned. Buyers with sustainable requirements push companies to recognise their responsibility, and such recognition helps brands build stronger, lasting value.

Mahmud Hasan Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, SCCBD

Transforming Sustainable Battery Infrastructure

Cassetex has secured the EBL Climate Change Action Award for its innovative approach to battery infrastructure in Bangladesh. The initiative tackles a severe public health crisis caused by toxic lead pollution from traditional lead-acid batteries. This contamination permanently affects brain development in children and damages the local food chain. To combat this, the company introduced a comprehensive traceability tool to manage the entire battery lifecycle. Their unique battery swapping model replaces long charging hours with instant service to ensure continuous productivity for drivers. These lithium-ion batteries are forty per cent lighter than conventional models, which allows vehicles to carry more load and generate higher income. Beyond transportation, the project aims to establish a national recycling centre to recover valuable minerals from battery waste. This strategic move could generate billions of dollars for the national economy while promoting energy independence. This initiative makes clean mobility truly sustainable for future generations.

“Cassetex has built a traceability tool ensuring batteries are managed responsibly to break the toxic cycle between cheap transport and suffering.”

Tauseef Anwar Co-founder & Chief Business Officer Cassetex Ltd

Innovative Floating Pond Farming Success

Youth Action for Sustainable Future (YASF) has received the EBL Climate Change Action Award for its innovative floating pond farming project in Mehediganj. This region faces frequent flooding that often washes away traditional fish stocks and destroys local livelihoods. To solve this crisis the organization introduced climate resilient structures built from bamboo and unused drums. These floating platforms keep fish nets secure during tidal surges and heavy monsoons. Additionally farmers grow vegetables like bottle gourd on top of these structures to create a dual production system. This low cost model reduces construction expenses by seventy percent compared to concrete embankments. Results show that fish survival rates have increased significantly since the implementation of this project. The initiative provides a scalable and sustainable solution for flood prone communities across Bangladesh. By empowering local farmers and youth volunteers the project ensures year round food security and economic stability in vulnerable areas.

This low-cost and locally led approach substantially improves resilience, food security, and livelihood stability in flood-affected communities.

Md Hanif  President  YASF

Somoy Nature advancing climate resilience

Somoy TV has achieved significant recognition by winning the EBL Climate Change Action Award for its pioneering initiative called Somoy Nature. This project effectively addresses the critical gap between complex scientific research and public understanding regarding environmental crises. Through a structured five step workflow, the production team creates data driven explainer videos that simplify essential topics like water security and disaster risks. The initiative has reached over twenty million people across various digital platforms and has successfully reduced public panic during national environmental emergencies. Expert collaborations ensure that every video report is scientifically accurate while remaining highly accessible to general audiences. National researchers and disaster management experts have praised the program for its essential role in fostering community resilience and informed policymaking. Looking forward, Somoy TV aims to expand this successful model across South Asia to tackle shared regional challenges together. This prestigious award highlights the vital role of media in building a climate smart society through responsible journalism and innovative visual storytelling.

We are planning to establish a dedicated Climate, Environment and Nature Desk to provide regular coverage of regional and global climate issues, which will be among the first such initiatives in Bangladesh’s media landscape.

Md A J Sagor  Host, Concept & Development Lead,  Somoy Nature, Somoy TV.