Context
Although Bangladesh contributes only 0.48% to global GHG emissions, its industries are primarily reliant on non-renewables. Currently, apparels and textiles contribute a 25.4% to Bangladesh’s total energy consumption (10% from RMG; 15.4% from textiles). With increasing global demand, especially with the upcoming mandatory HREDD and CSDDD requirements, the industry must slowly shift towards renewable energy, to maintain competitiveness amid shifting global demand for environmental sustainability and the mitigation of adverse climate change impacts.
ETI Bangladesh's Strategic Goal 3: Climate Change & Worker Rights.
Under this premise, one of ETI Bangladesh’s current three-year (2023 – 2025) strategic goals is Climate Change & Worker Rights, which aims to identify the challenges occurring within this intersection and, design & implement initiatives based on the ILO’s Just Transition Principles to create an environmentally sustainable, climate-sensitive and workers’ rights-friendly RMG sector in Bangladesh.
Project Overview
As of June 2023, ETI Bangladesh initiated the sectoral project titled, “Promoting Just Transition and environmental sustainability in the Bangladesh RMG Industry.” The initial run of the concluded in May 2024.
As of December 2024, the second phase of the project has been rolled out and is currently underway. The current project phase is set to conclude in December 2025.
Goal
To accelerate decarbonisation and the transition to renewable energy in the Bangladesh RMG sector, in line with the ILO just transition principles, by driving commitments for shared responsibilities among key stakeholders and by mainstreaming workers’ voices, enabling collaboration, innovation and inclusivity.
Objectives
- Brands along with their suppliers, including industry associations, jointly prepare a roadmap for shared responsibility to enable a renewable energy transition and decarbonisation in Bangladesh RMG
- Recommendations for necessary policies & practices on renewable energy transition in RMG are prepared and communicated
- Worker leaders are mobilised to run sectoral climate advocacy initiatives through an established worker-led climate action network
Planned Project Interventions
- Strengthening ETI Bangladesh Multistakeholder Working Group and increasing membership;
- Formation of sectoral worker-led climate action network and worker mobilisation;
- Facilitation of dialogue and consultations with key national, international and sectoral actors;
- Business case research on: Mapping best practices in RMG for decarbonisation and a renewable energy transition;
- Consolidation and dissemination of necessary policies and practices;
- Democratic dialogue with key stakeholders (including relevant government ministries).