Although the banking sector does not directly affect the environment, it can pursue environmentally friendly practices and reduce waste. Moreover, it can promote environmentally sustainable investments and encourage businesses to adopt similar practices. Because Islam encourages preservation and prohibits harm to the earth, Islamic banks are expected to follow such practices in pursuit of Sharīʿah compliance. In Malaysia, Islamic banks have already embarked on this path, mainly by practising conservation in operational matters; however, other areas of sustainable financing have been less enthusiastically pursued. This study recommends a three-level approach: (1) at the banking level, more proactive steps should be taken, e.g. greening operations, introducing environmentally friendly products and services, complying with environmental regulations, creating awareness and training stakeholders; (2) at the national level, the Central Bank should introduce appropriate policies and guidelines; and (3) at an international level, voluntary principles should be adopted to ensure compliance with global initiatives.

Green banking frameworks encourage banks to manage their in-house operations and lend and invest in an environmentally sustainable manner. There are at present six nations in Asia that have a green banking framework – Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia and Vietnam. Each of the six countries have distinctive green banking policies and frameworks suited to their own national agendas. This article aims to provide a summary of the main green banking frameworks issued by each country's respective regulatory authority or banking association and possible reasons why these six countries have established such a framework. It then focuses specifically on the framework and banking policies practiced in Bangladesh and China, given their experience and strong establishments. The effects of introducing green banking frameworks and policies in Bangladesh and China are also accessed. The article then concludes with recommendations on what more can be done to enhance green banking in Bangladesh and China.

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The Mui Tsai system has been described as domestic IntroductionI desire to make it clear that both the Governor and I are determined to effect the abolition of the system at the earliest practicable date, and I have indicated to the Governor that I expect the change to be carried out within a year.