COP29 and the future of Bangladesh’s RMG sector
COP29 offers a unique opportunity for global stakeholders to accelerate the transition towards sustainable practices in sectors that heavily impact the environment. One sector where this transformation is particularly urgent is the ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. The RMG sector, which accounts for a significant portion of our GDP and is a vital employment source, faces mounting pressure to adopt circular and sustainable practices. As Bangladesh joins the world at COP29, here I look at how this conference could shape the future of circularity and sustainability in our RMG sector.
Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment exporter, supplying major fashion retailers in the US and Europe. However, the industry's contribution to the economy is accompanied by equally significant environmental challenges, including high levels of water consumption, pollution, waste, and carbon emissions. Furthermore, its linear production models, focused on high-volume, low-cost outputs, have resulted in considerable textile waste, with limited infrastructure to support recycling and reuse.
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The concept of circularity entails moving from a "take-make-waste" linear model to one where resources are used, reused, and recycled, reducing waste and environmental harm. For the RMG sector in Bangladesh, circularity could mean designing garments for longevity, adopting sustainable materials, recycling textile waste, and building infrastructure that supports garment reuse.
COP29 could potentially play a critical role in establishing universal standards and frameworks for circular economy practices across industries. For the Bangladesh RMG sector, such frameworks could create clear guidelines and benchmarks for sustainable production, helping manufacturers align with global expectations and attract more eco-conscious international buyers. With standardised metrics for circularity, companies could potentially better measure and report their environmental performance, which could further increase their competitive edge in the global market.
One of the key outcomes anticipated from COP29 is an increased commitment to climate finance, which could open doors for Bangladeshi RMG manufacturers to access funding for green technologies and circular infrastructure. Why does COP29 not propose a Circular Transition Fund? This could be used to support the garment industry's shift towards the circular economy which will be a costly process. Climate finance will be key to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up a significant portion of the RMG sector, adopt circular practices despite resource constraints.
For Bangladesh's RMG sector, international collaborations could provide access to new technologies and knowledge in circular textile practices. Partnering with countries that have advanced recycling systems, for example, could enable Bangladesh to improve its waste management processes and develop the capacity to recycle textile waste on a large scale. This cooperation could also promote skills exchange, where Bangladeshi workers learn techniques for sustainable garment production, ultimately benefiting the sector's sustainability efforts.
Effective policy support is crucial for driving the shift to circularity. As COP29 may influence Bangladesh's policy direction on sustainability, it's possible the government could introduce incentives to encourage RMG manufacturers to adopt circular models. For instance, tax breaks for companies that use recycled materials, subsidies for sustainable technology adoption, or grants for eco-friendly infrastructure could make circular practices more feasible for manufacturers.
As Bangladesh aligns with COP29 goals, it's essential to ensure the transition to circular practices also benefits the millions of workers in the RMG sector. This includes providing training for green jobs, ensuring safe working conditions, and fair wages. COP29 could serve as a platform to push for labour practices that support social sustainability alongside environmental objectives, ensuring a just transition for RMG workers.
One important aspect to consider is consumer behavior. To succeed in a circular economy, brands, and retailers must educate consumers on the importance of sustainable fashion and encourage responsible consumption. However, if Bangladesh seizes the opportunities presented at COP29, the RMG sector could emerge as a leader in sustainable fashion, providing a model for other developing economies. By embracing circularity, the sector could reduce its environmental impact while increasing resilience to global supply chain disruptions.
I believe COP29 holds major promise for the future of circularity and sustainability in Bangladesh's RMG sector. Through climate finance, partnerships, policy support, and a commitment to worker well-being, the conference could help cement meaningful change in how garments are produced, consumed, and disposed of.
Mostafiz Uddin is the managing director of Denim Expert Limited. He is also the founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo and Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE).
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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