KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd has committed RM20 million over the next five years to support environmental conservation initiatives through its EcoSave-i programme, Malaysia’s first environmentally focused Islamic savings account.
The programme is designed to support conservation initiatives under the group’s green, social, sustainable impact products and services framework. It aims to mobilise RM300 billion in sustainable financing by 2030, a statement said.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, said the funding will support conservation, environmental education and community empowerment efforts tailored to local needs.
“A lot of the conservation efforts have to be tailored to the local situation because different areas require different approaches,” he said during the CIMB Islamic Green Showcase here today.
Ahmad Shahriman said the bank works closely with technical partners to determine suitable performance indicators, which may include land protection status, tree-planting outcomes or community training programmes, depending on the location.
He said CIMB Islamic’s conservation initiatives over the past five years have already engaged more than 3,000 local community members, while over 10,000 trees have been planted nationwide.
Among the key projects it supports are the Taman Tugu in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a RM3 million allocation, alongside forest conservation efforts in Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve and Royal Belum State Park.
“Taman Tugu is a focal point for customers and the public to learn about conservation efforts, especially because it is easily accessible in the heart of Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Ahmad Shahriman said the initiative is aligned with Islamic finance principles, which emphasise stewardship and responsibility beyond commercial returns.
“We are not just looking at profit. Under Islamic finance, we see ourselves as stewards, responsible for taking care of the environment and the communities around us,” he said.
He added that the five-year commitment is intended to ensure continuity and resilience of conservation projects, noting that environmental protection requires sustained, long-term collaboration.
“This project cannot just be done once a year. It has to be a continuous multi-year project. Conservation requires multiple stakeholders and programmes that can continue and adapt over time,” he said. – BERNAMA
