The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) in collaboration with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has organised the second edition of their climate series events titled ‘Together for Climate’ on Wednesday.
As a part of HSBC’s sustainability efforts, the bank urged the key stakeholders from multifarious fronts to work together and deliver innovative solutions to mitigate climate change, read a press release.
By harnessing the collective efforts and expertise of its diverse network, the initiative aimed to drive systemic change, influence policy decisions and create momentum towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
The event was supported with the presence of industry leaders, policymakers, senior government officials and startups.
Md Atiqul Islam, Dhaka North City Corporation mayor, Jeremy Bruer, high commissioner, Australian High Commission in Bangladesh, Faruque Hassan, president, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Javier Santonja, country head, Inditex, Amyn Saleh, md and ceo, Bengal Glass, Anadil Johnson, founder and designer, Neval, Philip Fellowes, chief of staff, HSBC Asia Pacific and Md Mahbub ur Rahman, ceo, HSBC Bangladesh were among the key speakers of the event.
During his Live Q&A session, the Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Md Atiqul Islam reiterated that two thousand rural residents are forced to migrate every day owing to climate change in the form of floods, cyclones and sea level rise in different regions of the country. Even city dwellers are exposed to these adverse impacts.
“In such a situation, everyone must act responsibly to protect the environment of Dhaka city. Keeping this in mind, from DNCC we have taken an initiative to plant two lakh trees," he added.
He also added “Global issues like climate change and migration have a direct impact on cities. Dhaka North City Corporation has taken various eco-friendly initiatives; starting from reservoir rescue project to construction of parks and playgrounds.”
The mayor stressed the importance of cooperation among the private sector, development partners and the public to work out innovative solutions to build sustainable cities in the face of climate change.
In his introductory remarks, HSBC Bangladesh CEO Md Mahbub ur Rahman necessitated the restoration of the delicate balance between man and nature which makes the ecosystem thrive. He expressed that the onus is on man to act only in keeping with the climate equilibrium.
“I believe our united efforts will help drive sustainability transformation focusing on the 3A’s- Awareness, Adaptation and Action. I thank the Honourable DNCC Mayor, for extending support towards nature-based solutions for the city we call home,” he added.
The programme brought together the champions of sustainability to drive city-centric climate actions by sharing their innovative new climate solutions and success stories.
The event also focused on the topic titled ‘Embracing Glass towards a Circular Economy’, ‘Future of Fashion: a closer look on Sustainability’, ‘Local Leadership’ and ‘Global Reach’.
HSBC actively supports renewable energy projects and promotes sustainable finance and investments. The bank has pioneered many sustainable financial solutions in the market such as Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL), Social Loan, etc.
HSBC has a global ambition to contribute to sustainable financing and support its customer transition to more sustainable ways of doing business and bring its own financed emissions to net zero by 2050 or earlier.
The bank has also set an ambitious target to become a net-zero carbon emission company by 2030.