Written by The Banking Post
Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has become the first bank in Bangladesh to conduct a comprehensive climate risk assessment across its lending portfolio, reinforcing its leadership in sustainability and responsible banking.
The announcement came through the bank’s Sustainability Report 2024, which highlights EBL’s alignment with IFRS S1 – Sustainability Disclosures and IFRS S2 – Climate-related Disclosures. The report underscores the bank’s commitment to global standards of transparency, climate accountability, and governance.
EBL Managing Director Ali Reza Iftekhar said the report reflects the bank’s pioneering role in integrating climate risk assessment and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting into its operations. “Through alignment with IFRS S1 and S2, we aim to enhance resilience, transparency, and accountability across our financial ecosystem,” he said.
Recognized among the Top 10 Sustainable Banks by Bangladesh Bank, EBL has embedded environmental and social risk management, green finance, and climate resilience into its business strategy.
The bank’s climate risk assessment analyzed both physical and transition risks—including the potential impact of floods, cyclones, temperature rise, and policy changes on borrowers and overall portfolio performance.
EBL also completed a full GHG emissions inventory covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, including financed emissions that form the largest share of its carbon footprint. This lays the groundwork for a sectoral decarbonization pathway aligned with Bangladesh’s climate goals and the Paris Agreement.
EBL continues to collaborate with global development partners such as IFC, DEG, FMO, ADB, JIM Foundation, and the OPEC Fund to advance its sustainability agenda.
The full Sustainability Report 2024 is available on the bank’s official website, offering detailed insights into its ESG governance, climate-risk framework, and roadmap toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.
