CIMB Islamic pledges RM20 million for environmental conservation and community resilience

SHAH ALAM – CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad has committed RM20 million to support environmental conservation and restoration initiatives across Malaysia from 2026 to 2030.

This funding, facilitated through its EcoSave-i Islamic savings account, reinforces the bank’s long-term focus on responsible finance, community empowerment, and environmental education.

The initiative aligns with CIMB Group’s broader purpose of advancing customers and society through sustainable practices.

CIMB Islamic Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff emphasised that environmental stewardship and community resilience are central to the bank's mission.

“EcoSave-i allows us to translate Syariah principles into practical action by embedding sustainability into everyday banking.

“This investment reflects our conviction that capital should be deployed to support inclusive growth, environmental responsibility, and long-term resilience,” he added.

As part of the pledge, the bank is strengthening collaborations with 12 conservation partners nationwide.

This includes the extension of education and outreach programmes at Taman Tugu, specifically targeting schools and B40 communities.

The commitment was formalised at the CIMB Islamic Green Showcase, attended by key partners such as:

• Amanah Warisan Negara (custodian of Taman Tugu)
• WWF-Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia
• The Habitat Foundation and Malaysia Nature Society
• Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Penang Institute
• Malaysia Forest Fund, Forest House, Leap Spiral, Your Idea Maker and Free Tree Society

The RM20 million allocation will expand CIMB Islamic’s portfolio to eight states: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Johor, Terengganu and Sabah.

Through collaborations with conservation groups, universities and community organisations, CIMB Islamic directs funding into initiatives that build long-term ecosystem resilience while supporting local livelihoods. - Photo courtesy of CIMB

Notably, the bank is extending its footprint into East Malaysia to support biodiversity efforts in the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, Royal Belum State Park and Ulu Muda.

Key projects under this funding include:

• Wildlife Mitigation: Human-elephant conflict mitigation and forest restoration.
• Urban Greening: Development of urban green spaces in the Klang Valley.
• Youth Empowerment: Training Orang Asli youth as forest stewards.
• Marine & Watershed Care: Coastal, coral, and watershed rehabilitation in Terengganu and Sabah.

EcoSave-i remains Malaysia’s first environmentally focused Islamic savings account.

It contributes 0.2 per cent of the bank’s total average portfolio balance annually towards environmental projects.

This initiative is a core component of the CIMB Group’s Green, Social, Sustainable Impact Products and Services (GSSIPS) framework, which aims to achieve RM300 billion in sustainable financing by 2030.