The Embassy of Denmark and the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) have launched a new initiative to help garment factories in Bangladesh improve energy efficiency and align with global environmental standards.
The project, titled “Capacity Building of Factories in Sustainability and Climate Action,” was inaugurated on 18th August at the BRAC Center Auditorium in Dhaka. It is part of Denmark’s SDG Facility program, which focuses on analysing energy use in the country’s textile and apparel industry, identifying efficiency opportunities, and promoting renewable energy adoption. The program supports the government’s target of sourcing 15 percent of total energy from renewables.
Ali Asraf Khan, Sustainability and Value Chain Advisor at the Danish Embassy, stressed the importance of gathering energy data not only from Dhaka-based factories but also from facilities across the country. He noted that smaller and less-resourced institutions need special attention and support under the program.
Professor Munshi Sulaiman, Research Director of BIGD, said the project will generate evidence-based recommendations to guide policymakers and industry leaders in making the RMG sector more climate-resilient and globally competitive.
As part of the initiative, a comprehensive energy profile of 500 factories will be developed. Factory-specific strategies on energy efficiency and renewable energy integration will be prepared, alongside the launch of an open-access digital platform that visually presents sector-wide energy data.
BGMEA Director Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz highlighted that rising energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels are major challenges for the industry. He said the project could pave the way for practical, scalable solutions to meet international sustainability benchmarks.
Other speakers included BIGD’s Dr. Rohini Kamal, Program Coordinator Sadman Faisal, and BKMEA Vice President Fakir Kamruzzaman, who echoed the importance of collective action in reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
The project is expected to create greater awareness among factory owners, entrepreneurs, and policymakers about clean energy adoption while equipping the sector with strategies to meet global sustainability demands.
