Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) and its subsidiaries, Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank) and SME Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank), have partnered with Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM) to accelerate Malaysia’s sustainability journey ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
The pledge was announced at the Climate Change Forum – Suara ALAM: Road to COP30 Belém 2025, co-hosted by ALAM, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), and the Malaysian Green Tech & Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) at Aloft Hotel Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
The event was witnessed by YBhg. Datuk Nor Yahati Binti Awang, Deputy Secretary General (Environmental Sustainability) at NRES.
This collaboration builds on a range of existing initiatives. These include capacity building, green trade financing, reforestation, and marine conservation. Together, they aim to strengthen Malaysia’s position as one of the world’s key megadiverse nations.
BPMB Group has committed to ensuring every transaction supports national priorities. Its investments focus on economic growth, social equity and environmental stewardship.
The Group’s MIND and Sustainability Framework, developed with the World Bank Group and launched in 2024, guides this approach by embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across governance and operations.
Since 2022, SME Bank has approved over RM11 billion in sustainable financing and issued Malaysia’s first Sustainability Sukuk worth RM2 billion. It has also trained more than 1,500 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in ESG standards through its Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR).
SME Bank is currently developing a Customer Transition Blueprint and measuring Scope 3 emissions to support its Net Zero 2050 target.
Meanwhile, EXIM Bank has rolled out a RM1.5 billion green financing facility to help businesses adopt sustainable practices and navigate emerging global standards such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
EXIM Bank has launched a RM1.5 billion green financing facility to support the adoption of sustainable business practices. The initiative is designed to help Malaysian exporters remain competitive in the face of global regulatory shifts, including the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
“Across BPMB Group, we are clear on one thing: financing the future means financing sustainably. Every investment, whether in infrastructure, trade or SMEs, must bring Malaysia closer to a low-carbon economy and a just transition,” said YBhg. Datuk Wira Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Chief Corporate Strategy Officer of SME Bank, speaking on behalf of BPMB Group.
“Our pledge reflects long-term aspirations to turn capital into climate action and inclusive growth, with ALAM playing a vital role by mobilising grassroots action and connecting community-led solutions with institutional support.”
Since 2020, BPMB has invested more than RM5 million in both monetary and in-kind support for ALAM. This has enabled the foundation to channel over RM3 million into community and research projects.
A key part of this commitment was the creation of Sinar ALAM, a new crowdfunding platform for grassroots climate action, supported by RM390,000 in seed funding.
Early partners include MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, backing ALAM’s Be-Leaf reforestation programme, while Reef Check Malaysia has received an initial RM100,000 to expand marine conservation efforts. The fund aims to grow by RM1 million annually over the next five years to scale its impact nationwide.
Datuk Ali Tan Sri Abdul Kadir, Chairman of ALAM, described Sinar ALAM as a dynamic platform where communities lead and partners support, creating meaningful and lasting solutions through shared ownership.
As Malaysia prepares for COP30, the partnership between BPMB Group and ALAM demonstrates tangible progress by integrating grassroots engagement with institutional support, positioning Malaysia as a committed contributor to global climate and biodiversity targets.
Source: Business Today