MALAYSIA’s biodiversity is under growing threat as deforestation continues in the name of development.
Against this backdrop, CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd has pledged RM20mil for environmental conservation and restoration efforts across the nation from 2026 to 2030.
The bank’s commitment was formalised at the CIMB Islamic Green Showcase event held at Taman Tugu Nursery recently.
The event brought together nature conservation partners, academic institutions and community groups to support a range of impactful environmental initiatives nationwide, including:
> Amanah Warisan Negara (AWAN)
> Forest House
> Free Tree Society
> Leap Spiral
> Malaysia Forest Fund
> Malaysia Nature Society
> Penang Institute
> Reef Check Malaysia
> The Habitat Foundation
> Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
> WWF-Malaysia, and
> Your Idea Maker
Channelled through the bank’s flagship EcoSave-i savings account (EcoSave-i), the pledge underscores CIMB Islamic’s long-term dedication to responsible finance, community empowerment, environmental education and conservation.
“Through EcoSave‐i, we operationalise the Shariah principles by integrating sustainability into everyday banking practices.
“The RM20mil investment reaffirms our belief that sustainability is the fundamental lens through which we allocate capital.
“By embedding these principles into our core financial offerings, we are supporting development that is inclusive, responsible and ecologically resilient for generations to come,” said CIMB Islamic chief executive officer Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff.
Over the last five years, the bank has directed RM12mil into initiatives under EcoSave-i alone, planting over 10,000 trees and supporting the livelihoods of over 3,000 local communities.
The refreshed commitment through EcoSave-i enables CIMB Islamic to expand its support from the Peninsula to East Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Johor, Terengganu and Sabah.
This strengthens long-term ecosystem resilience and sustains the livelihoods of local communities.
The investment highlights CIMB’s growing portfolio of nature conservation, biodiversity protection and community-led environmental programmes.
The bank has been integrating environmental and biodiversity considerations into its operational framework, moving beyond high-level goals toward a model of accountability and governance.
By managing risks and avoiding practices that compromise natural habitats, the bank ensures its financing decisions support responsible land use and ecosystem protection. This structured approach is designed to align financial sustainability with environmental health.
However, CIMB also recognises that policy alone is insufficient; lasting impact depends on the strength of its community engagement and the practical work being done through continuous local partnerships.
“This project cannot just be done once a year. It has to be a continuous, multi-year environmental project. It is important for our partners to know that there will be continuity in the project.
“CIMB Islamic will continue its support for the Taman Tugu Adoption and Nature Education Programme for another two years, reaffirming our commitment to Taman Tugu and expanding the programme’s impact through enhanced outreach to schools and B40 communities,” added Ahmad Shahriman.
EcoSave-i, dubbed Malaysia’s first environmentally focused Islamic savings account, is designed to support conservation initiatives.
It also forms a key component of CIMB Group’s broader Green, Social, Sustainable Impact Products and Services (GSSIPS) framework, which aims to mobilise RM300bil in sustainable financing by 2030.
Through EcoSave-i, CIMB Islamic contributes 0.2% of the total average portfolio balance per annum from the bank’s own funds* towards environmental projects, which enables the public to contribute and support these conservation initiatives by opening an account online or at any CIMB branch nationwide.
Customers who maintain a monthly average balance of RM5,000 without over-the-counter transactions are eligible to receive a RM5 monthly cash incentive.
Visit EcoSave-i to support CIMB’s ongoing conservation efforts while growing your savings.
*Terms and conditions apply.
