The Cotton Field BD Limited located in Tongi, Gazipur has been awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), achieving an impressive score of 86. This brings the total number of LEED certified factories in Bangladesh to 230, with 92 holding platinum status and 124 rated gold. Additionally, around 500 more factories are in the process of obtaining LEED certification.

Md. Anwar Hossain, Administrator of the BGMEA, extended his congratulations to the garment industry entrepreneurs for their progress in and commitment to eco-friendly industrialization. He emphasized that this achievement reflects Bangladesh's potential to lead globally in sustainable production.

Notably, Bangladesh is home to 62 of the world’s top 100 highest-rated LEED green factories. Among them, 9 of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20 are located in the country. One of the factories, S.M. Sourcing Limited has set a new benchmark as the highest-rated LEED green factory in the world, with a score of 106.

In the global ranking of the top 100 LEED green factories, other countries are as follows: 3 from China, 7 from India, 3 from Vietnam, 8 from Pakistan, 4 from Taiwan, 4 from Sri Lanka, 2 from Myanmar, and 1 each from Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Paraguay, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates.

Bangladesh's LEED certified factories have implemented best practices across technology, production processes, physical infrastructure, corporate management, and social and environmental sustainability. These initiatives include the use of natural daylight, rainwater harvesting, improved indoor air quality, thermal control systems, automatic chemical dispensing, high-volume low-speed fans, solar panels, advanced building management systems, and effluent treatment plants.

Significant investments in technology and machinery have enhanced operational efficiency while ensuring a safe and comfortable working environment for employees by reducing manual labour, minimizing waste, and controlling pollution.

The BGMEA remains at the forefront of this transformative journey, conducting various capacity-building programs to promote green industrialization. In recognition of its endeavours, BGMEA received the 2021 USGBC Leadership Award.