A gender‑sensitive, worker‑led climate action is taking shape, built on shared responsibility and a human‑centered approach. Workers act as agents of change, raising their voices on environment and climate issues through workplace-based social dialogue mechanisms.
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh, in collaboration with Ethical Trade Norway and Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), has launched the Advanced Green Social Dialogue programme with ten RMG factories, consisting 34,100 workforces, nominated by nine fashion brands. Building on the 2022 pilot in RMG and replication in the leather sector in 2024, this programme envisions an industry where entire workforces are sensitised, and worker and management collaborate for a sustainable, and climate friendly industry.
All ten participating factories have now been onboarded with involvement of senior management, department heads, worker representatives from various committees, trade unions, and participation committees. Baseline assessments are underway. The programme focuses on the gender–climate nexus, heat stress, and industrial de-carbonisation, resource and energy efficiency. The programme ensures climate action is inclusive and responsive to worker realities based on just transition principles. It will guide factories in developing roadmaps where workers act as change agents, shaping a fair, inclusive, and sustainable industry.
