AN UNFULFILLED GREEN PROMISE

Tamara Rebeira reports on our bold yet unfulfilled climate commitments

Climate change, a significant alteration of the Earth’s climate patterns caused by both human and natural factors, is a critical issue facing our time. It is an urgent global challenge with countries around the world striving to address its far-reaching impacts.

According to USAID, Southeast Asia is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change; it faces rising sea levels, heat waves, floods and droughts, and increasingly intense and unpredictable weather events.

In the heart of the Indian Ocean lies Sri Lanka, known for its natural beauty and scenic locations. However, the island isn’t short of geographical and ecological vulnerabilities. Recognising its vulnerability, steps are being taken to mitigate these challenges and contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, though shortcomings exist in certain strategies and policies.

Despite a low carbon footprint and considerable vulnerability, authorities have pledged to enhance forest coverage by 32 percent by 2030 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 14.5 percent. Additionally, ambitious targets for 2030 have been set with an aim to generate 70 percent of electricity from renewable sources.

Furthermore, plans are in place to attain carbon neutrality by 2050, accompanied by a commitment to stop expanding the country’s coal power plant capacity. Moreover, Sri Lanka has strengthened its objectives towards meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the climate vulnerability index, Sri Lanka is in 116th position among 182 countries. According to the World Bank, more than 90 percent of the country’s population resides in areas prone to droughts and floods – as observed during the first week of September: Colombo faced widespread flooding while the North-Central Province and southeastern region grappled with severe drought conditions.

A milestone in Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing climate change was the ratification to the Paris Agreement in 2016. However, there appears to be a gap between policy formulation and effective implementation as commitments made on paper must be translated into action.

Despite recent bans on single-use plastics, Sri Lanka struggles to fully curtail plastic pollution. Plastic waste poses a major environmental threat, impacting marine life, water bodies and public health. Recognising the menace of plastic pollution, steps have repeatedly been taken to combat this crisis.

The Central Environment Authority (CEA) recently announced that from 1 October, the manufacture and sale of single use plastic products will be prohibited. While the ban signals a commendable effort, the success of this endeavour remains to be seen. Despite previous attempts to restrict the use of these items, they resurface in markets.

Engaging local communities and raising public awareness are crucial for successful climate change strategies. But the extent of community involvement and education initiatives seems limited.

Additionally, at a recent meeting on climate change initiatives, President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to climate action and international collaboration. The president highlighted the importance of resilience on both local and global fronts, noting the critical role finance plays in supporting climate initiatives.

Wickremesinghe observed that while numerous climate change initiatives have been proposed, limited attention is given to the vital matter of financing. He said our expertise in international economics, especially in climate financing linked to debt management, positions Sri Lanka uniquely.

Climate change as a global issue requires international cooperation; and this calls for collaboration with internation­al organisations, neighbouring countries and the global community.

Earlier this year, Sri Lanka was part of an initiative led by Vanuatu, appealing to the UN General Assembly for the passage of a resolution to request the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide essential guidance that outlines the responsibilities of countries in protecting present and future generations from the impacts of climate change.

Meanwhile, the EU has expressed its willingness to support Sri Lanka in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The European Union shared its desire to work closely with Sri Lanka bilaterally, and in multilateral fora, on climate financing options and climate change actions.

However, during a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry stated that the financial crisis places constraints on the allocation of funds to crucial sectors like climate change and renewable energy. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka must devise new approaches towards sustainable development.

Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing climate change is evident – but its shortcomings are equally evident. Overcoming these challenges demands a concerted effort from government, civil society and international collaboration.