The project has led to significant improvements in the island's infrastructure, including the installation of a 54-kilowatt solar micro-grid and 60 tube wells. Additionally, Standard Chartered and Friendship have planted 1,350 saplings across the island to strengthen its climate resilience.
Through these initiatives, the bank aims to empower marginalized individuals by providing them with essential resources and is dedicated to fostering a sustainable community that coexists harmoniously with nature.
In 2023, Standard Chartered made substantial strides in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) space through the launch of various sustainability and community engagement initiatives. The bank is committed to building on this progress in the future.
Bitopi Das Chowdhury, head of corporate affairs, brand & marketing, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, expressed her satisfaction with the award, stating, “Ghughumari is a shining example of how reliable renewable energy can positively impact hard-to-reach communities. We are delighted to be recognized for our efforts to support communities in need.”
Runa Khan, founder and executive director of Friendship, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting responsible renewable energy solutions. She highlighted the significance of tailored strategies in addressing the challenges faced by climate-vulnerable regions and praised Standard Chartered's commitment to the Solar Village project.
Chars, like Ghughumari, are among the most climate-vulnerable areas globally. Standard Chartered Bangladesh's intervention in Ghughumari aims to address critical challenges such as access to clean water, food security, soil erosion, and electricity.
The Solar Village project reflects the bank's dedication to providing sustainable support to the community of Ghughumari.