Promoting Just Transition and Environmental Sustainability in Bangladesh’s RMG Industry
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh is implementing a strategic sector-level project to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and workers’ rights in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector. Guided by ILO Just Transition Principles, the project seeks to create an environmentally sustainable, climate-sensitive, and worker-rights-friendly industry through collaborative interventions.
Five-Axis Transformation via ETI’s Just Transition Initiative
Data: The initiative includes business-case research mapping best practices in decarbonisation and renewable energy adoption. It also features a perception study capturing stakeholder understanding and readiness across buyers, suppliers, unions, and government bodies, providing a strong evidence base for action.
Capacity Building / Technical Assistance: It strengthens multi-stakeholder working groups and mobilises a worker-led climate action network. These platforms help educate and empower workers to advocate for environmental change and participate meaningfully in sustainability dialogues.
Technology / Machinery: By facilitating the preparation of roadmaps and business case analyses, the initiative supports the adoption of renewable energy and clean technology solutions across factories to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Finance: Through shared-responsibility roadmaps and policy recommendations, the project fosters an environment where stakeholders—brands, suppliers, and associations—can collaborate financially to enable decarbonisation and green investments.
Policy: The project develops and communicates policy recommendations, consolidates best practices, and facilitates democratic dialogues among government ministries, industry associations, buyers, and workers to mainstream just transition principles into industrial policy.
Strategic Impact & Value Proposition
Accelerated Decarbonisation:The initiative drives commitments toward renewable energy and emissions reduction, supporting Bangladesh’s RMG sector to meet shifting global sustainability demands.
Mainstreamed Worker Voices: Worker leaders are empowered through a climate action network, ensuring that transition strategies reflect worker priorities and protect job security and livelihoods.
Industry Collaboration & Innovation: By bringing together brands, suppliers, associations, and policymakers, the project enhances collaboration and builds collective accountability for climate and rights-focused action.
Inclusive & Durable Change: The layering of research, capacity building, and policy advocacy ensures that environmental and labour improvements are embedded systematically rather than implemented in short-term, isolated efforts.