The quote 'Businesses cannot thrive on a planet that fails' captures the essence of why sustainability matters for both the environment and the economy. At MetLife, we believe that sustaining people's lives is our core purpose and our responsibility. That is why we are committed to addressing the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that affect our customers, our colleagues, our communities, and our shareholders.
We have witnessed the devastating effects of climate change in the recent heatwave and floods in the country. These events remind us of the urgency of reducing our environmental impact and enhancing our resilience. We can all take simple, proactive actions to make a difference, such as planting trees, conserving water, and keeping our surround- ings clean.
MetLife has been implementing ESG initiatives that challenge the status quo and drive positive change. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), we leverage our people, products, services, and invest- ments to create long-term value for our stakeholders and society.
One of the key areas of our focus is greening the urban spaces. We recognize the vital role of green spaces in mitigat- ing urban heat, improving air quality, and enhancing well-being. That is why we have supported several tree planting projects in Dhaka.
One of these projects was the Muktir Shobujayon (Greening for Liberation) Project, which aimed to transform the abandoned land opposite the Jallad Khana Memorial into a modern, green, and child-friendly public space. The Jallad Khana Killing Field in Mirpur-10, Dhaka, is a historic site of the Bangladesh Liberation War. In collaboration with Shakti Foundation and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), we planted around 1,000 trees in the area and beautified the adjacent garbage dump with colorful graffiti by a renowned cartoonist. The project was co-funded by Shakti Foundation and MetLife Foundation.
Another project was the Urban Tree Plantation initiative, which turned the divider of the busy road from Jahangir Gate and Bijoy Sarani to Farmgate in Dhaka into a lush and vibrant sight. We planted around 17,000 trees on the divider, which is also painted with artistic graffiti. This project is also implemented in partnership with Shakti Foundation and DNCC and funded by MetLife Foundation.
We are committed to supporting the tree planting and maintenance for both projects. We believe that a beautiful environment and a peaceful mind are essential for a good life. MetLife is always working to create a stress-free life and a pollution-free environment for our customers and communities.
These projects are not only aesthetically
pleasing, but also environmentally benefi- cial. Trees act as natural air purifiers, filtering pollutants and improving air quality, which is crucial in a city like Dhaka. These projects also demonstrate our ESG leadership and our alignment with SDG goals.
This challenging time serves as a crucial wake-up call that our actions today will shape the environment we pass on to future generations. It is not only the responsibility of one entity but requires a collective effort. Together, we can create momentum towards a sustainable and resilient future.
