Bangladesh sets global record with most green garment factories in a year

Bangla Press Desk:  Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry has reached a historic milestone in sustainable manufacturing this year, securing 38 new LEED-certified green factories, the highest number achieved in any single year to date.

This accomplishment further strengthens Bangladesh’s position as the global leader in environmentally responsible apparel production, according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), which accords the LEED certificates.

What makes this achievement even more significant is the quality of certifications attained. Of the 38 newly certified factories, 22 achieved the prestigious LEED Platinum rating, while 11 received Gold and 5 achieved Silver certification. Notably, none of the factories settled for basic certification, reflecting a clear shift from compliance-driven sustainability toward excellence-driven green transformation.

With these additions, Bangladesh now hosts 270 LEED-certified green garment factories, including 114 Platinum and 137 Gold facilities, the highest concentration of top-tier LEED factories anywhere in the world. This progress is not incidental, it is the result of long-term investments by manufacturers, strategic leadership by BGMEA, and a collective commitment to responsible growth.

The momentum gained in 2025 reflects broader global dynamics. As international buyers, regulators, and consumers increasingly demand lower environmental footprints, Bangladeshi manufacturers are proactively aligning with evolving standards such as carbon efficiency, water stewardship, energy optimization, and climate-resilient infrastructure. LEED certification has thus become not only a sustainability benchmark, but a strategic competitiveness tool for the industry.

Beyond buildings, this achievement signals a deeper transition. It demonstrates that Bangladesh’s RMG sector is preparing itself for the next phase of global sustainability requirements, including EU regulations, carbon pricing mechanisms, and digital transparency frameworks, while continuing to deliver at scale.

The record-breaking performance of 2025 sends a powerful message to the world: Bangladesh is not just the largest apparel exporter, it is increasingly one of the greenest and most future-ready.

As the industry moves forward, the challenge will be to build on this foundation by integrating green factories with low-carbon operations, circular production models, and digital sustainability reporting. The progress achieved in 2025 shows that Bangladesh is not only ready for this transition, but is already leading it.

BP/SP