The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Bangladesh and the H&M Group have inked a collaboration agreement at the UNDP Bangladesh headquarters to engage on climate change and assist Bangladesh achieve the SDGs.
On behalf of their respective organizations, Leyla Ertur, head of sustainability at H&M Group, and Van Nguyan, deputy resident representative at UNDP Bangladesh, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU). Ziaur Rahman, regional country manager at H&M Group, was also present at the signing event, along with other representatives from both organizations, according to a joint press statement from H&M Group and UNDP Bangladesh.
UNDP is committed to assisting nations in turning their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) objectives into concrete measures. Recognizing the garment sector’s critical role in national and global greenhouse gas emissions, UNDP wants to empower all key stakeholders in Bangladesh’s clothing industry to drive climate action through a collaborative, whole-of-society approach.
The collaboration will be critical in launching policy conversations aimed at decreasing CO2 emissions, implementing climate-responsive electricity regulations, establishing electricity Purchase Agreements (PPA), and discovering climate-smart investment possibilities.
Furthermore, the partnership will be critical in increasing the circularity of post-industrial textile waste and adopting water conservation, reuse, and recycling strategies within the industry.
“I believe our collaboration with H&M Group will set an example for all relevant actors in Bangladesh’s apparel industry to drive climate action through a whole-of-society engagement approach,” said Van Nguyan, UNDP Bangladesh’s deputy resident representative.
