DHAKA – A new web tool has been launched by the IFC’s Partnership for Cleaner Textile initiative (PaCT II) which aims to help calculate resource consumption in the Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector. The data-driven monitoring software will provide real-time analytics for RMG garment factories, helping them in efforts to improve use of resources, such as water and energy. The portal was launched at the PaCT annual meeting held in Banladesh, where panel discussions focused on issues such as low-carbon opportunities in the textile industry.
Panelists also highlighted how emerging consumer behavior and choice are now shaping the global apparel market. “The textile industry in Bangladesh continues to be a priority for IFC,” said Wendy Werner, IFC country manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. “Through programs like PaCT, we hope to contribute towards improving sector competitiveness by promoting resource efficiency through innovative ways and evolving with global trends.”
Supported by Denmark, Australia, and the Netherlands, PaCT has helped the industry save 25 billion litres of water and 2.5 million megawatt hours of energy annually. Launched in 2018, PaCT II works with 132 factories to adopt state-of-the-art efficiency technology to reduce water, energy, and chemical use to meet global standards.
“This monitoring tool will work as an analytical information exchange platform to help with users’ decision-making regarding water and energy consumption. It can play a big role in leading the industry towards sustainability and achieve results that are right for the industry, the planet, and our future generation,” said Nishat Chowdhury, programme manager for PaCT.
Five brands – VF Corp, Puma, Levi Strauss & Co, Tesco, and Gap Inc. – have partnered with the PaCT program. Jeanologia, Radiant Alliance, and EMKAY are the technology providers, while Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is the implementing partner.