The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and H&M Group have announced a partnership to transform the garment industry in Bangladesh into a circular and climate-neutral sector.

The agreement involves a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 30%.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Helena Helmersson, CEO of H&M, and Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA, in Dhaka.

The MoU outlines the development and implementation of a strategic roadmap toward achieving this goal, as stated in a press release by BGMEA.

Helmersson emphasized the need for collaboration and joint responsibility within the industry, expressing confidence that this partnership would accelerate the much-needed changes and address common challenges.

Similarly, Hassan expressed hope that the collaboration would accelerate the journey toward sustainability.

The garment industry in Bangladesh has been a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the country emitted 169.06 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2021, which is projected to increase to 409.41 million tonnes by 2030.

The fashion industry accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study by McKinsey in 2018. The industry aims to reduce its emissions by 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon equivalent by 2030 to combat this. Bangladesh’s share of global emissions currently stands at 0.45%.

The collaboration between H&M Group and BGMEA has garnered support from the Swedish government.

Alexandra Berg von Linde, the Swedish ambassador to Bangladesh, attended the signing ceremony and praised the partnership for its potential to promote green growth in Bangladesh’s garment industry.

Representatives from H&M Group, including Ziaur Rahman, Faisal Rabbi, Yosef El Natour, Karin Lind, and Adam Karlsson, were present at the event. The ceremony also saw the attendance of several BGMEA vice presidents, directors, and committee members.

The deal signifies a shared commitment to sustainable practices and highlights the dedication of Bangladesh’s apparel industry to growing environmentally conscious, benefiting both the economy and climate. With this partnership, efforts are being made to create a greener and more sustainable future for the garment sector in Bangladesh.