Khairul Alam, Dhaka: A significant milestone on the path to sustainable industrialization has been achieved as the nation celebrates its 200th LEED Green factory certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
This remarkable milestone underscores Bangladesh’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship, economic development, and global competitiveness.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is recognized internationally as a symbol of excellence in sustainable construction practices.
These certified green factories adhere to strict standards, exhibiting a harmonious blend of state-of-the-art technologies and green practices that prioritize resource efficiency, environmental protection, and worker welfare, Farooq Hasan, president of BGMEA, said in a statement.
Farooq said, “I am happy to inform you that the number of US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED-certified RMG factories in Bangladesh has reached 200. Out of these, 73 are platinum, 113 are gold, 10 are silver, and 4 are certified factories. Bangladesh is home to some of the world’s best factories; 13 of the world’s top 15 LEED green factories are located in Bangladesh.”
Last year, in 2022, 30 garment factories received USGBC LEED certification (15 of them were Platinum and 15 Gold), and this year, so far, 18 factories are USGBC LEED certified (13 Platinum and 5 Gold). “I expect that by the end of this year, we can reach a new milestone in the number of factories certified in a single year. We have over 500 factories still awaiting USGBC certification.”
To obtain the certificate, factories must maintain the highest standards in terms of carbon emissions, energy, and water use, waste management, indoor environmental quality, etc., under the strict monitoring of the USGBC. The achievement of 200 USGBC-certified LEED green factories is a testimony to Bangladesh’s determination to foster a more sustainable and prosperous future.
The BGMEA President also congratulated his fellow business people in the industry for this achievement and commitment to building a more resilient, sustainable, and sustainable industry.