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Renowned climbers and Climb2Change ambassadors, Maria Conceicao and Naila Kiani, lead the Mashreq clean-up team, extending their efforts beyond the base camp
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Maria Conceicao successfully summitted K2, the second highest peak on earth; becomes first Portuguese woman in the world to summit K2
Karachi 5th August: Mashreq shows strong environmental care through its Climb2Change project. The bank tackles cleaning and conservation on high mountains like K2. This global project aims to clean 14 of the world’s tallest peaks and their base camps.
In July, Mashreq started phase 3 of Climb2Change. They focused on cleaning K2 and Broad Peak in Pakistan. This effort spreads the message of waste reduction and environmental care. Climbers Maria Conceicao and Naila Kiani lead this mission in Pakistan.
On July 28, 2024, Maria Conceicao reached the top of K2. She climbed from Camp 3 to become the first Portuguese woman to summit K2. Her climb was tough and took a lot of effort.
Maria and Naila guide the Mashreq clean-up team. They worked not just at base camp but higher up too. They made two trips to Camp 2 and a final climb to Camp 3. They collected a lot of waste during these trips. Cleaning high-altitude areas in Pakistan is rare. A non-government group rarely does such work.
Mashreq aims to set high standards with this project. They hope to inspire others to join their ‘Rise Responsibly’ mission. Their work in Pakistan follows success in Nepal. In Nepal, they cleaned five peaks and one base camp.
Overcoming Challenges, Exceeding Expectations: Mashreq
The team faced challenging weather during the high-altitude expedition, but their perseverance remained unchanged. Committed to ensuring K2 is waste-free, the high-altitude cleaning team will attempt for a final clean-up climb after all climbers have descended.
The enthusiasm and dedication of the low altitude and high-altitude cleaning team members have been commendable. Their eagerness to remove as much waste as possible from K2 reflects their commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the mountains. This initiative and spirit of collaboration sets a new benchmark for future expeditions.
Empowering Employees, Engaging Communities
From July 22nd to 24th, Mashreq Pakistan’s employees participated in a multi-day expedition in Skardu, which included educational sessions on leave-no-trace principles, intensive trail cleaning at Deosai National Park, and interactions with local communities to promote environmental awareness. This hands-on involvement empowered employees to contribute actively to a more sustainable future.
During the expedition, employees learned about the connection between waste and climate, cleaned the trails, engaged with local communities in Satpara Village, and interacted with members of the Alpine Club and Skardu Tourism, enhancing their awareness and commitment to environmental conservation.
Building upon the success of previous phases in Nepal, where five of the mightiest peaks and one base camp were scaled and cleaned, this latest expedition in Pakistan showcases Mashreq’s continued dedication to environmental stewardship under Climb2Change.
Launched in November 2023, Climb2Change is Mashreq’s global initiative that integrates the bank’s comprehensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and milestones.
To read our blog on “Mashreq Pakistan’s new Islamic Banking surges with IPA approval,” click here
