UCB and EY Forge Strategic Sustainability Partnership

In a landmark move aimed at elevating environmental accountability within Bangladesh’s banking sector, United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has entered into a strategic partnership with Ernst & Young Advisory Services Bangladesh Limited (EY ASBL). The collaboration is designed to enhance UCB’s carbon accounting capabilities and strengthen its monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing a pivotal step toward embedding sustainable practices into the bank’s operations.

The agreement was formally signed at UCB’s corporate office in Dhaka. Under the terms of the partnership, UCB will acquire the technology, expertise, and analytical tools necessary to measure, manage, and reduce the environmental impact of its operations. This initiative underscores the bank’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its core business strategy while aligning with international environmental standards and best practices.

As part of the collaboration, EY ASBL will assist UCB in preparing a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the fiscal year 2024–25. The inventory will provide a structured and detailed assessment of carbon emissions generated across all aspects of the bank’s operations. The resulting data will serve as a foundation for target-driven sustainability planning and robust climate risk management.

UCB Greenhouse Gas Assessment Framework

This detailed evaluation will enable UCB to determine its overall carbon footprint accurately, paving the way for effective emission reduction strategies and strengthened environmental accountability. Moreover, it will assist the bank in complying with rising corporate climate responsibility expectations and international sustainability benchmarks.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior UCB officials, including Additional Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer Nabil Mustafizur Rahman, Chief Financial Officer Faruk Ahmed, Senior Executive Vice President Saiful Islam, Chief Compliance Officer Zishan Kingshuk Haque, and Senior Executive Vice President (GSD) Mohammad Asif Qureshi. Representatives from EY ASBL included Managing Director Nawshad Ekramullah, Associate Director Rana Sohel, and Manager Ibrahim Redwan, who will provide strategic guidance on sustainability initiatives and climate risk management.

Through this partnership, UCB is taking decisive steps to contribute to environmental conservation, integrate sustainability into banking operations, and reinforce corporate social responsibility. This initiative sets a benchmark for carbon management practices in Bangladesh’s banking sector, fostering a culture of responsible and sustainable finance that extends beyond regulatory compliance to inspire industry-wide adoption.