Six companies and three young humanitarians received recognition yesterday at the 3rd Bangladesh Sustainability Excellence Awards for their initiatives that promote sustainability and make a positive impact on society.
The Daily Star and CSR Window Bangladesh came together to honor these firms and individuals, aiming to inspire more projects that contribute to society and the environment.
Among the winners, Unilever Bangladesh was awarded for its Plastic Circularity project focusing on a sustainable environment, while Bata Shoe Company’s Bata Children’s program received top honors in education.
LafargeHolcim was recognized for its Integrated Support in Chhatak Community, an initiative emphasizing community engagement, and Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, a project by Shanta Holdings, won in the healthcare category.
The Financial Inclusion award went to Grameenphone for its GP Accelerator and GP Academy, and Banglalink Digital Communication was honored in the Disaster Response category.
Additionally, three young changemakers—Arifur Rahman Shihab, Lamia Tanzim Tanha, and Arian Arif—were awarded as the Young Humanitarians of the Year for their impactful work.
Read more: Banglalink gets the Best Sustainability Award
The awards were presented by Syed Manzur Elahi, chairman of Apex Group, at an event held at Le Méridien Dhaka. During the ceremony, Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, highlighted the critical importance of sustainability, equating it to survival.
Mahfuz Anam emphasized that sustainability is not only about saving lives but also about safeguarding the planet for future generations, pointing out issues like air and water pollution in cities like Dhaka.
While commending corporate initiatives to appoint sustainability officers, Anam urged for the empowerment of these officials and encouraged companies to explore ways to make their products and markets more sustainable.
Read more: Green Delta Insurance gets 4 awards in the 4th Emerging Asia Insurance Awards 2023
Shehzad Munim, managing director and CEO of British American Tobacco Bangladesh, presented a keynote and highlighted how Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) commitments influence consumer choices and employee engagement.
Munim stressed the need for an effective and inclusive committee and incentives for those embracing ESG to further the sustainability agenda.
Shamima Akhter, director of Unilever Bangladesh’s corporate affairs, partnerships, and communications, suggested that the government should incentivize sustainability initiatives.
