The overarching principle of this policy is to minimise the natural resources and toxic materials used, and the waste and pollutants generated, throughout the entire production and consumption process in all economic sectors. It notably aims to mainstream climate and disaster resilience into the management of water and sanitation, into the development of energy, industry and tourism sectors. It also seeks to promote disaster and climate resilient buildings and constructions.

One of the plan's missions is titled "Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change", and includes plans to: 
1. Establish country specific policies and action plans to counter adverse climate change impacts. 
2. Promote the use of economically viable, environment friendly, renewable energy resources, with emphasis on non-conventional energy resources. 
3. Optimize energy consumption through energy efficiency in enterprises and promoting substitution of fossil fuels by renewable energies in economic and production sectors. 
4. Promote supply side & end use energy efficiency. 
5. Promote carbon sequestration. 
6. Promote Integrated waste management. 
7. Identify Infrastructure vulnerability to climate change. 
8. Ensure that land use zoning reduces vulnerability to adverse impacts of climate change. 
9. Make rain water harvesting at site level mandatory. 
10. Take adaptive measures expecting an increase of vectors. 
11. Establish Food Security in the face of climate change threats. 
12. Develop and adopt energy saving technologies in agriculture

<div>This plan plans to build on post-conflict opportunities to boost the wellbeing of coastal communities. It focuses on shoreline management, conserving coastal habitats, control coastal water pollution, deal with special management areas, and improve regulatory mechanisms. It notably devise strategic schemes to combat floods, sea-level rise and storms. It mandates the country to combat erosion notably by adopting climate compatible technologies and designs for fisheries, tourism and other economic activities located in coastal zones. It also calls for protecting mangroves in order to protect the coast from erosion and ensure carbon storing capabilities. </div><div>The plan also aims to ensure the availability of contingency measures to mitigate impacts of climate change on coastal features, infrastructure and coastal communities and that systems for timely implementation of such contingency measures and plans are developed. It lists the following proposed actions:&nbsp; </div><ol><li>Collate data from all relevant authorities on climate change parameters such as wind patterns, rainfall, temperature, sea level rise, etc. to predict coastal impacts of sea level rise.</li><li>establish a database on climate change features relevant to coastal zone management in collaboration with relevant state organisations.</li><li>establish links with international agencies/global programmes to obtain data and information on climate change, related features and mitigatory actions.</li><li>analyse impacts of climate change and establish systems for timely adaptive and mitigatory action.</li><li>Develop an effective mechanism to collaborate with institutions dealing with the scientific and social aspects of natural hazards to minimise impacts and for efficient remedial action.</li><li>Coordinate inter-agency action required to mitigate impacts of natural hazards in the Coastal Zone and for remedial measures.</li><li>establish a mechanism through which realistic estimates of sea level rise and other climate change impacts are taken into account routinely in erosion management and development in the Coastal Zone.</li></ol>

This document sets the strategic approach to ensure that Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is conserved and used in a sustainable manner. It notably seeks to increase forest cover and shield the country's biodiversity from the adverse effects of climate change.&nbsp;

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP)&nbsp; identifies agriculture, fisheries, water, human health, coastal and marine, ecosystems and biodiversity, infrastructure and human settlements as vulnerable sectors to the adverse effects of climate change.&nbsp; The Plan provides the opportunity for all the stakeholders for developing policies, strengthening cooperation, institutional setup, resources mobilization, technology development and transfer, awareness and capacity building to increase resilience of vulnerable communities&nbsp;

This Act establishes the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. The document sets the composition and duties of the Authority.&nbsp; The Authority is in charge of 1) identify, assess and develop renewable energy resources with a view to enhancing energy security and thereby derive economic and social benefits to the country, 2) identify, promote, facilitate, implement and manage energy efficiency improvement and energy conservation programmes for use of energy in domestic, commercial, agricultural, transport, industrial and any other relevant sector, 3) promote security, reliability and cost- effectiveness of energy delivery to the country, by policy development and analysis and related information management, and 4) ensure that adequate funds are available for the Authority to implement its objects, consistent with minimum economic cost of energy and energy security for the nation.&nbsp; The Authority must also analyse and recommend policies and prepare plans aimed at promoting and developing renewable energy resources. Art. 46 establishes the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Fund, which shall be notably financed by fees chargeable from developers for managing the carbon asset of Sri Lanka.

The Disaster Management Act's main purpose is to protect human life and the environment of Sri Lanka from the consequences of natural disasters by preparing national policies and plans, and by appointing centrally coordinated committees and institutions to give effect to such policies and plans.

The Coast Conservation Acts 57/1981 and 49/2011 set out measures to ensure a survey of the coastal zone and the preparation of a coastal zone management plan. The act also regulates development activities within the coastal zone and formulates schemes of work for coast conservation.&nbsp; The Act No.57/1981 establishes the Coast Conservation Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as " the Council "). The functions of the Council shall be: 1) to advise the Minister on all development activities proposed in the Coastal Zone; 2) to review the Coastal Zone Management Plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part II of this Act; 3) to review the environmental impact assessments furnished to the Director in connection with applications for permits under section 14; 4) to inform the Director of the need for schemes of work within the Coastal Zone; 5) to advise the Minister or the Director on any other matter relating to coast conservation.&nbsp;

The Act provides for the establishment of the Water Resources Board, whose duty shall be to advise the Minister on the following matters: (a) control, conservation and utilization of water resources; (b) promotion, construction, operation and maintenance of irrigation, drainage, flood control and hydraulic power schemes; (c) promotion of afforestation; (d) control of soil erosion; (e) prevention of freshwater pollution; (f) formulation of national policies relating to the control and use of water resources.

Sri Lanka. National Communication (NC). NC 3., National Communication from Sri Lanka in 2022

Sri Lanka First NDC (Updated submission), Nationally Determined Contribution from Sri Lanka in 2021

Sri Lanka First NDC (Archived-Updated submission), Nationally Determined Contribution from Sri Lanka in 2021

Sri Lanka First NDC (Archived), Nationally Determined Contribution from Sri Lanka in 2016

Sri Lanka. National Communication (NC). NC 2., National Communication from Sri Lanka in 2012

National Climate Change Policy of Sri Lanka

Law passed

The mission of this policy is to address climate change issues locally while engaging in the global context. It aims at fostering adaptation and mitigation efforts within the framework of sustainable development. Its core objectives are 1) Sensitize and make aware the communities periodically on the country's vulnerability to climate change, 2) Take adaptive measures to avoid/minimize adverse impacts of climate change to the people, their livelihoods and ecosystems, 3) Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the path of sustainable development, 4) Promote sustainable consumption and production, 5) Enhance knowledge on the multifaceted issues related to climate change in the society and build their capacity to make prudent choices in decision making, 6) Develop the country's capacity to address the impacts of climate change effectively and efficiently, and 7) Mainstream and integrate climate change issues in the national development process.

National Climate Change Policy of Sri Lanka

Main documents

Timeline

Note

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