Bangladesh marked a significant step toward environmental sustainability with the launch of its first-ever Carbon Fest, “Agridecarbonathon,” at the CCDB Climate Centre in Gazipur on May 23.
The event was organized by the Gazipur Agricultural University Science Club with Envolead Limited as the strategic partner. Key collaborators included the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and AgroTrends.
The festival attracted wide participation from students representing public and private universities across the country, alongside select school and college students from Gazipur. The event aimed to raise awareness and drive engagement around carbon reduction, climate finance, and green innovation.
Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman, Vice Chancellor of Gazipur Agricultural University, attended as the chief guest, while Juliate Malakar, Executive Director of the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), chaired the program. Among other distinguished attendees were Morshedul Bari, CEO of Envolead Ltd., and Tania Noor, co-founder and director of Envolead Ltd., alongside representatives from Jahangirnagar University, Helvetas Bangladesh, BRRI, BARI, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, World Economic Forum, Grameen Shakti, OSHE Foundation, Carbo Bon, Future Carbon Ltd., and several media outlets.
The event featured dynamic segments such as a panel discussion titled “Bangladesh’s Carbon Future: Advancing Green Growth through Climate Tech and Low-Carbon Innovation,” as well as a session on “Career Pathways in the Climate Change Sector.” Additional activities included a poster presentation, video documentary competition, Carbon Quest, and online training sessions.
Media personality and climate advocate Raihan Ferdaus, who joined as a panellist, emphasized the media’s evolving role in climate discourse. “We must recognize the growing importance of climate change and explore how carbon credits can contribute to our national economy. Through citizen journalism and climate finance education, youth can transform carbon into a green economy,” he remarked.
Participants were introduced to essential climate concepts such as carbon credits, finance, markets, trading, sequestration, and carbon neutrality, sparking growing interest in climate-tech innovation.
Organizers believe the event has laid a strong foundation for future climate leadership. “The participation of experts, entrepreneurs, development professionals, and students has made Agridecarbonathon a milestone in addressing Bangladesh’s carbon challenges,” said organizers. Plans are already in motion to scale up the fest nationally and, eventually, on an international level with a focus on carbon solutions.
