Download Adopting Green Growth strategies in Sri Lanka

Adopting Green Growth Strategies in Sri Lanka
L.Padmini Batuwitage Ph.D.1
1. Introduction
We have entered the second decade of the 21st century having followed a path of progress with mixed
results. During the last century, especially after the Second World War, the main focus of the global
community was accelerated economic development aiming at higher standard of living for humans. The
present multiple global crisis related to finance, economics, energy, fuel, food, security and wider
environment bear testimony to the ill effects of profit oriented economic growth models that were used in
the past ignoring limits to growth. Developing countries such as Sri Lanka are more vulnerable in this
situation as the present crisis continues spreading in different scales in different forms in all the countries
irrespective of the magnitude of their contribution to its root causes.
This paper conveys the relevance of the applicability of Dr.. E.F Schumacher’s philosophy found in his
book “Small is beautiful” that proposed an alternative path to growth, in the pursuit of green growth
policies and strategies in Sri Lanka. Initially, the paper presents an overview of the impacts of economic
growth in the past in the present context, and discusses the importance of application of green growth
concepts in the economic development as a strategy to achieve sustainability of human development.
Then the paper discusses commonly known global green growth strategies in general and the significant
green growth policies and strategies available in Sri Lanka in particular. The paper emphasizes that the
principles of economic growth expounded by Schumacher’s description have been ingrained in the Sri
Lankan culture based on simplicity and containment, and therefore, this potential can be wisely used to
face the contemporary challenges of economic growth within the framework of sustainable and equitable
development. The paper highlights the need for target oriented integrated approaches as a way forward
to address the deficiencies and inabilities to make progress with effective monitoring and reporting
systems and identifying the right mix of policy interventions. The paper also underscores the need for a
skilled human resource base for effective implementation of the available policies with due recognition for
the need for ‘knowledge, organization and discipline’ as three essential ingredients as Schumacher
emphasized for development. The paper includes some opportunities and challenges of adopting Green
Growth Strategies/technologies with examples in energy, waste and solid waste management sectors.
Finally, the paper calls attention to the need for implementation of the policies and strategies available
mobilizing the stakeholders to take timely action to make progress.
2. Impacts of Growth in the present context
The evolutionary process of civilizations from hunting and gathering to modern information technology
explains the gradual changes in human capabilities that have been instrumental for changing production
and consumption patterns dramatically. The standard of living of communities in different regions has
been improved gradually at different levels accordingly. However, despite numerous technological
advancements, gaps between rich and poor are widening globally and locally. The ratio between income
earned in countries with the richest 20 percent of the population compared to the poorest 20 percent has
also widened – from 30:1 in 1960, 60:1 in 1990, to 74:1 in 1997 (GEO3-2002).
The Human development Report 2007/2008 published by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP/HDR 2007/2008) emphasized that more than 80 percent of the world’s population lives in
countries where income differentials are widening; consequently incomes in developing countries will
have to grow three times the pre-1990 rate to achieve the same reduction in poverty incidence that was
achieved in developed countries. This indicates the massive amount of additional resources needed for
1
Hon Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka, Former Additional Secretary (Environment and Policy), Sri Lanka.
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the developing countries that contain over 80 per cent of the population in the world, to reduce poverty in
their countries if they follow the same economic paradigms.
UNDP/HDR in its latest publication (2011) emphasizes that ‘there should be pathways that enable people,
communities, countries and the international community to promote ‘sustainability and equity’ so that they
are mutually reinforcing’. If economic development models coupled with technology do not provide due
recognition to the natural system perspectives of sustainability, i.e. the behaviors of the natural systems,
these models will not only fail to sustain human development but also will enhance and spread social
unrest threatening to social security and ecosystem stability.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the share of workers in vulnerable employment
worldwide is estimated to reach over 1.5 billion, equivalent to over half (50.6 percent) of the world’s
working population. The number of women and men in vulnerable employment is estimated to have
increased in 2009, by as much as 110 million compared to 2008.2
The report also says that, ‘worldwide, 633 million workers and their families were living on less than USD
1.25 per day in 2008, with as many as 215 million additional workers living on the margin and at risk of
falling into poverty in 2009’. The ILO report highlights the urgent need to establish wide coverage of
basic social protection schemes to cushion the poor against the devastating effects of sharp fluctuations
in economic activity.
The global youth unemployment rate rose by 1.6 percentage points to reach 13.4 percent in 2009 relative
to 2007. This represents the largest increase since at least 1991, the earliest year for which global
estimates are available3. The overall impact of the economic crisis on women and men is far more
important than the differences in impact between these groups (ibid).
The present multiple global crises situation related to finance, economic, energy, fuel, food,
environmental risks related to natural resources and pollution, and security possess an unprecedented
challenge for all the countries in the world irrespective of their contribution to the root causes of the
problem. Globalization on one hand has linked the economies of the countries in the world together. On
the other hand, environmental impacts such as climate change have no borders and are spreading
worldwide. The poor are the most vulnerable as they do not have capacity to face these challenges. The
issue of security and related threats are becoming more critical with the increasing trends of the other
crises situations worldwide. Economists who have designed and are promoted the business as usual
model have been unsuccessful in their quest to either predict or to address the increasing trends of the
crises thus today we are in a more complex situation which the human societies have never experienced
before.
Unsustainable production and consumption patterns of humans aiming at unlimited growth without
considering the limitations of the ecosystems services have created profound imbalances in the
functioning of natural ecosystems in different regions of the world at different levels. Negative impacts of
climate change can be sighted as a classic example 4.
2
ILO Annual Global Employment Trends Report 2009
The global unemployment rate rose to 6.6 percent in 2009, an increase of 0.9 percentage points over 2007.
However it varied widely by region, ranging from 4.4 percent in East Asia to more than 10 percent in Central and
South-Eastern Europe (non-EU) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CSEE and CIS) as well as in North
Africa
4 Current concentrations of Greenhouse gasses (GHGs) which cause temperature rises, global warming and thereby
climate change have reached 380 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO 2) equivalent exceeding the natural
range of the last 650,000 years. GHGs are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide(N2O),
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Prefluorocarbons (PFCs) and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Parts per million of CO2
equivalent means – all GHGs expressed as a common matrix in relation to their warming potential .
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2
It has been predicted that in the 21st century, average global temperatures could increase by more than 5
degrees centigrade (50C) (UNDP/HDR 2008). To avoid catastrophic impacts due to climate change, with
50% probability5, it is necessary to keep the temperature rise below 20C 6.
Out of the other Greenhouse gases (GHGs) which cause climate change, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) has the
highest concentration at present. Between 1970-2004, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) contributed 77 percent of
the increase, out of which 57 percent is due to burning of fossil fuel and 17 percent is from deforestation,
logging and peat fires (Kick the Habit -2008 quoting IPCC7 figs.). This underscores the need for reduction
of CO2 emissions especially due to burning of fossil fuels. Deforestation also is an issue to be considered.
According to Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC’s) Carbon Budget, the environmentally
permissible carbon quota per person for 2009 is 2170 kg. The world average is 4700 kg that is twice the
permissible level. That means the permissible ecological space has already been used without
considering the limitations of environmental space 8.
Another example of the negative impacts of unsustainable production and consumption can be cited
taking ecological footprint of human societies in to consideration. ‘Ecological footprint’ is a term basically
used as a measure of human demand on Earth’s ecosystems. It is a function of population size, average
per-capita consumption of resources, and the resource intensity of the technology used 9. The Global
Footprint Network (2007) (www.footprintwrk.org) reported that the total global ecological footprint of 2.7
(ha/person) already exceeds the earth’s bio-capacity of 1.8 (ha/person)10.
Today, it has become a challenge for industrialized countries to reverse the trends of their unsustainable
production and consumption patterns based on resource intensive production systems and infrastructure
development exceeding the carrying capacity of global ecosystems. At the same time, other countries
including the countries with emerging economies having over 80 percent of the world’s population are
facing unprecedented challenges to ensure the well-being of their population within a shrinking
environmental space. Under the globalization no single country will be able to face these challenges in
isolation. These challenges are increasingly daunting due to the net addition of more than 70,000,000
humans to our planet each year.
3. Application of Green growth as a strategy for sustainability
The concept of ‘Green economy’ or ‘Green growth’ is emerging worldwide as a requirement to address
the present economic and environmental challenges. United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
defines green economy as one that results in improving human well-being and social equity, while
reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. UNEP expresses green economy in a simple way
so that a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially
inclusive (Towards a Green Economy 2011).
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With only 50% chance of avoidance.
This require stabilization of GHGs at concentrations around 450 ppm CO2 equivalent.
7
IPCC means Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change
8 To achieve 20C target, industrialized countries will require to cut emissions as much as 30% below 1990 levels by
2020 and 80% by 2050 (UNDP/HDR 2008). Most vulnerable countries to climate change demand that societies
reduce the 20 targets to 1.50 in order for them to be within safety levels.
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9Each
unit of the ecological footprint corresponds to the number of hectares of biologically productive land available
per capita to produce the food, the fiber that people consume, the infrastructure people use, and the ecologically
productive area required to absorb the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by burning of fossil fuel
10 High-income countries account for an ecological footprint of 6.1 (ha/person) as against the bio capacity of 3.1,
whereas middle income and low-income countries have ecological footprints of 2.0 and 1.2 (ha/person) compared
with their bio-capacities of 1.7 and 1.1 respectively.
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Sustainable production and consumption (SPC) is the key to transform the growth/economy green. The
developing countries are in a more vulnerable situation in this context as they have limited access to
environmentally sound appropriate technologies and knowhow to build the capacities of their countries
while economic growth has become imperative to improve the human wellbeing of their societies.
External forces, which are most powerful to promote and support the linear or exponential economic
development models under globalization, override the fragmented and limited efforts designed to promote
SPC. This makes application of SPC strategies in low or middle income countries challenging.
It is worth to note the key ideas of Dr. E.F.Schumacher presented in 1973 in his publication of “Small is
Beautiful” in the context of economic development and human well-being with due consideration of the
natural ecosystem limitations.
The principles behind Schumacher’s ideas under different perspectives are valid for today more than
before as some of his predictions have surfaced in many societies at present. It will be useful to consider
his valuable thoughts in decision making to face contemporary development challenges. His idea of
promoting technology with a Human Face is one of the key factors conducive for green growth which well
covers the need for social inclusiveness as specified in the modern context, in achieving sustainability of
life on earth including human societies.
Schumacher emphasized the need to learn how to live peacefully, not only with our fellow human beings,
but also with nature and, above all, with Higher Powers which have made nature and have made us. He
argued that the meaning of democracy, freedom, human dignity, standard of living, self realization, and
fulfillment is not a matter of goods but a matter of people. But people can be themselves only in
comprehensible groups. Therefore, he emphasized that we must learn to think in terms of an articulated
structure that can cope up with a multiplicity of small-scale units. He pointed out that economic thinking
should go beyond its vast abstractions and make contact with the human realities of poverty, frustration,
alienation, despair, breakdown, crime, escapism, congestion, ugliness and spiritual death. These
perceptions provide the main features of the framework of good governance that we need to promote the
well-being of human societies which are missing today.
Even though there is another notion that “Small is sometimes beautiful”, the message that we can get
from Schumacher’s thoughts is to take appropriate intelligent choices focusing on the limitations of the
capacities of ecosystems to provide their services and their inability to fulfill the needs for unlimited
appetite of humans with unlimited aspirations. Schumacher recognized the duality of the human
requirement when it comes to the question of size specifying that there is no single answer. He
recognized that human needs many different structures both small and large, some exclusive and some
comprehensive. For constructive work, the principle task is always the restoration of some kind of a
balance (Schumacher 1973).
Schumacher’s ideas are more relevant to Sri Lanka as he has linked the modern economic perspectives
with the Buddhist philosophies which are strongly ingrained into our culture and thereby into the national
policies from the ancient times. Schumacher underscored the significant insights of Buddhist way of life
that can be called as ‘Buddhist Economics’, just as the modern materialist way of life has brought forth
modern economics. He argued that while the materialist is mainly interested in goods, the Buddhist is
mainly interested in liberation. But, Buddhism is “The Middle Way” and therefore in no way antagonistic to
physical well being. He emphasized that the key note of Buddhist economics, therefore, is simplicity and
non-violence. He pointed out that from an economist’s point of view, the marvel of the Buddhist way of life
is the utter rationality of its pattern – amazingly small means leading to extraordinary satisfaction of
results.
This concept is totally different from the modern societies perspectives that were designed and controlled
based on the philosophies of ‘bigger-is-better’, ‘more-is-better’, ‘richer-is-better’ perspectives rather than
based on ecologically sound perspectives with appropriate scale considering the limits of growth and
need for equity for all. According to the Buddhist Economics as mentioned by Schumacher, the above
approach is completely irrational: since consumption is merely a means to human wellbeing, the aim
should be to obtain the maximum well-being with minimum of consumption. This philosophy well matches
with the modern concept of decoupling of resource use intensity from the economic growth which means
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achievement of green economic growth. It is important to be mindful that in promoting green growth and
keeping with the concept of Sustainable Wellbeing promoted by Schumacher; government, industry,
employers and all other relevant players must also be mindful of the social angle of growth and pay heed
to employee rights and creating a safe workplace for employees as well.
Schumacher’s prediction of the fuel crisis is valid for today more than ever even though at that time it was
mostly considered as unorthodox. His perceptions on the illusion of astonishing scientific and
technological achievements with unlimited powers can solve the problem of production is worthwhile to
consider in this context. He emphasized that this illusion is based on the failure to distinguish between
income and capital where this distinction matters most.
Sri Lanka’s unique historical, societal development provides a valuable model to both ‘national/local’ and
global leaders, about the benefits and possibilities of adhering to the “middle path” capturing the
distinction between income and capital. Table below shows performance of the human development in
2005 in respect to a few OECD 11 (developed) countries along with global and regional perspectives in
comparison with the status of Sri Lanka (Batuwitage 2011).
Table: Human development status of selected counties, of global and regional perspectives and of
Sri Lanka - 2005
Country
11
HDI
Rank
Life
Average
GDP
Expectancy
Literacy
Per Capita
At birth
Rate
(ppp US$)
Iceland
1
81.5
99.0
36,501
Canada
4
80.3
99.0
33,375
Japan
8
82.3
99.0
31,267
Netherlands
9
79.2
99.0
33,684
USA
12
77.9
99.0
41,890
UK
16
79.0
99.0
33,238
Developing countries
66.1
76.7
5,282
South Asia
63.8
59.5
3,416
OECD
78.3
99.0
29,197
High Human Development
76.2
99.0
23,986
Middle Human
Development
67.5
78.0
4,876
Low Human Development
48.5
54.4
1,112
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
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Country
HDI
Rank
Life
Average
GDP
Expectancy
Literacy
Per Capita
At birth
Rate
(ppp US$)
67.5
78.6
4,876
71.6
90.7
4,579
World
SRI LANKA
99
HDR rank (1-70) - High Human Development
HDR rank (71-155) - Medium Human Development
HDR rank (156-177) - Low Human Development
Source: HDR/UNDP 2007/2008
While Sri Lanka ranked 99 in terms of its HDI, significant comparable achievements have been made in
terms of the “Life Expectancy at Birth” and “Average Literacy Rate” with nearly ten times lower income
than that of highly developed countries. The income/GDP per capita of Sri Lanka is even less than the
global average. Child survival to age five also adds another dimension of human development. In 2003,
the percentage of child survival to age five in high-income OECD countries (US$ 28,500) was 99.4
whereas; Sri Lanka achieved 98.5 per cent with an income of US$3,750. It is urgent that Sri Lanka
maintains and accelerates the progress of improved health of its people, which is also directly related to
quality of life and to “Happiness” as an important part of well-being (Batuwitage 2011). It has to be noted
however that there are significant regional disparities that have to be addressed urgently using
appropriate technologies.
With regional disparities sustainable human development cannot be achieved. That means, it is
necessary to focus on socially inclusive growth and accommodate all those who are at employable age in
the path of economic development focusing on economic, social, and environmental sustainability
together.
Engaging the Sri Lankan economy into an environmentally sustainable and low carbon development path could
also bring profound and lasting adjustments to the socio-economic structures of the country. The
transformation into a sustainable and low-carbon development will trigger shifts in the labour markets, will
create demand for new skills and re-skilling programs as well as specific measures to facilitate a just
transition for workers, employers and enterprises, including social protection and financial schemes.
The effects of climate change and the resulting policies on the world of work are not always fully
understood and in some cases considered a drain on the economy and competitiveness. Whereas in fact,
most recent studies show that climate-smart policies can bring environmental, economic and social
benefits together. Rethinking on the purely economic arguments levelled against ecologically sound
innovative practices in agricultural land use for example, with potential for wider impact needs attention
with adequate policy thrust on policy implementation.
Often, the lobby for change and rationale for green growth has been grounded in the conviction that it is a winwin situation for the environment and for economic development. Relatively little attention has been paid to the
social dimension of sustainable development, particularly the implication for employment and decent work. The
concept of Green growth should be embraced with a wider vision to accommodate the concept of green
jobs at different levels and decent work for all. Green jobs are defined by the International Labour
organization (ILO) as direct employment in economic sectors and activities, which reduces their negative
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environmental impact, ultimately resulting in levels that are sustainable. Specifically these are ‘decent’
jobs that help to reduce consumption of energy and raw materials, de-carbonize the economy, protect
and restore ecosystem services, flood protection and biodiversity and minimize the production of waste
and pollution.
The changes in production and consumption patterns that are called for in the drive towards a climate
friendly economy, require incorporating the social, gender and employment dimensions into decision
making.. These employment dimensions are best addressed through the framework of the national
decent work agenda premised upon core labour standards, most of which have been incorporated into
the domestic legislation. Engaging with key partners in the world of work are thus quintessential to
ensure the transition to green growth and green development is socially just.
As much as winner are likely to far out number the losers specific attention is demanded in relation to
workers and enterprises that may be part of this transition. Additional jobs must be created as in
manufacturing and pollution control devices, for example. Some employment will be substituted as in
shifting from fossil fuels to renewable, or from waste disposal to waste avoidance/prevention, reuse and
recycling. In the process certain jobs may be eliminated with direct replacement when packing material
that is not eco-friendly is phased out or banned and their production therefore is not longer relevant.
Existing professions will be transformed and re-defined and will require green skills to maintain or even
boost productivity. Strategies for greening therefore need to take cognizance of these realities specially
for the working populations of the country.
It must also be understood that green jobs do not automatically constitute decent work and much of
environment friendly jobs such as in the waste sector are in fact dirty, dangerous and difficult to perform.
Our challenge therefore is to convert these jobs into cleaner, quality jobs that contribute to workers’ safety
and health as it cleans and preserves the environment. Green jobs if implemented in the spirit in which
the constituents of the ILO intended it to be defined, can be used as a bridge of transformation upon
which green development will make its transition from what is now, to realizing its full potential in the
future. To make this strategy effective, facilitation of ILO is necessary in implementation activities too
beyond policy development, especially in relation to skills development.
4. Commonly known Global Green Growth Strategies
4.1 Agenda 21
At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, famously known as ‘the Earth
Summit’ in 1992, the world leaders adopted “Agenda 21” as a road map for sustainable development.
Agenda 21 underscores the need for considering the economic, social and environment development as
three pillars of sustainable development. Chapter 4 of Agenda 21 devotes on sustainable consumption
and specifically includes that “Consideration should be given to the present concepts of economic growth
and the need for new concepts of wealth and prosperity which allow higher standards of living through
changed lifestyles and are less dependent on Earth’s finite resources and more in harmony with Earth’s
carrying capacity. This should be reflected in the evolution of new systems of national accounts and other
indicators of sustainable development”.
However it is imperative to be mindful that in the first decade of the 21 st century itself, in 2008, the global
community experienced an economic crisis which is considered as much deeper crisis that the world has
experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Until today the crisis continues at different levels in
different forms in different countries.
While Agenda 21 emphasizes the need for balancing economic, environmental and social development
as a way forward to sustainable development, Green Growth emphasizes more of the need for greening
the economy as economic development focusing on unlimited growth overrides the benefits of
environmental development initiatives due to present market mechanisms. It has also to be noted that
United Nations target of securing financial assistance amounting 0.7 % of the Gross national Product
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(GNP) annually as official development assistance (ODA) to the developing countries for implementation
of Agenda 21 have never been met and the assistance provided thus far is far below the expectations
and needs.
4.2 A Global Green New Deal
The UNEP Governing Council/Global Environmental Ministers Forum is the United Nations high-level
environmental policy forum and brings the environmental ministers in the world together to review
important and emerging environmental policy issues. It also provides broad policy advice and guidance to
promote international cooperation in the field of environment.
The theme of the 24th UNEP Governing Council/Global Environmental Ministers Forum
(UNEPGC24/GEMF) held in February 2009 in Nairobi was “A Global Green New Deal” towards a green
economy as a strategy to address the present ecological and financial crises in a sustainable manner.
Delegates from 147 countries including 110 ministers and deputy ministers and 192 representatives of
major groups of stakeholders took part in high-level consultations under this theme.
At this forum it was surfaced that “The financial, fuel and food crises of 2008 are in part a result of
speculation and a failure of governments to intelligently manage and focus markets but, they are also part
of a wider market failure triggering ever deeper and disturbing losses of natural capital and nature-based
assets coupled with an over-reliance of finite, often subsidized fossil fuels,".
It is important to take in to account the challenges faced by countries, especially the developing countries,
as well as, the opportunities in transformation to green economies while poverty alleviation and equitable
development has been the priority of the political agenda.
The following conclusions at the ministerial forum reflect the ground level realities of application of green
growth strategies worldwide:



Government alone cannot manage and fund the transition to a green economy, which includes
sustainable production as well as sustainable consumption.
Significant additional investment and further incentives are needed to scale up the existing green
projects and initiatives from across all regions, reiterating the UNEP’s call for investment of 1% of
GDP12 (approximately US$ 750 billion) over the next two years to seed a significant greening of the
global economy made at the 64th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The current economic crisis is a unique opportunity that can be used for fundamental restructuring of
economies. Countries can encourage the transition to green energy, green growth and green jobs.
There is a need to study further the concept of the green economy, in particular, as it relates to
developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
4.3 Ten Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP)
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002 after Rio+10 in Johannesburg, the global
community called for developing a 10 year framework of programme (10YFP) in support of national and
regional initiatives to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production. Guidelines
have been developed under this programme for governments and other stakeholders to implement SCP
programmes. The 10YFP program with its activities proposed by countries is supposed to be adopted at
Rio+20. Some regional programmes are being implemented linking to this programme while many
countries are either planning or implementing SCP programmes/activities in different form at different
levels. SWITCH Asia programme is one such initiative which is under implementation in many countries in
the Asian region with financial assistance of the European Union.
4.4 Green Jobs Initiative
12
A Global Green New Deal – Policy Brief, UNEP, 2009 March
8
A Green Jobs initiative was launched by ILO through a partnership established in 2007 with the UNEP,
the International Trade Union Confederation and the International Organisation of Employers, who joined
in 2008, with the firm belief that green jobs is integral to green development and coherent policies and
effective programmes leading to a green economy cannot ignore the concept of green jobs and decent
work for all.
5. Significant Local Green Growth Strategies
5.1 Strategies directly related to ‘Green Growth’
In Sri Lanka, numerous policies are available to support green growth. Among many other national and
sectoral policies available to address specific issues and programmes in various sectors related to green
growth, the following are some significant conducive policies which are directly support for a green
economy in the country:

Recognition of application of Cleaner Production (CP) and lifecycle thinking in the National
Environmental Policy developed in 2000.

National Cleaner Production Policy and Strategy developed in 2005.

Sectoral Policies of CP developed in accordance with the National CP policy for Health, Tourism,
Fisheries and Agriculture.

Haritha (Green) Lanka Programme and the National Action Plan for implementation of the Haritha
(Green) Lanka Programme (2009) administered by the National Council for Sustainable
Development chaired by H.E. the President

National Green Reporting System introduced in June 2011 (under the HL Programme) to
encourage industry and service sectors to become green;

The Green Rating System developed by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka in January 2012
for the built environment taking up the challenge to create sustainable buildings for the future

National Energy Policy to reach a minimum level of 10% of electrical energy supplied to the grid
to be from natural renewable energy by 201513.

National Solid Waste Management Policy (2008)

National Climate Change Policy (2011)
It is necessary develop regulations and to create awareness on the multiplicity of laws, rights of citizens,
complaints procedures and penalties for not abiding by environmental laws. To get the full potential of the
multiplicity of rules and regulations and systems in place to make a greener Sri Lanka, it is absolutely
necessary to make awareness amongst people as well as industry of what is in place and their expected
outcomes.
5.2 Haritha (Green) Lanka Programme
In 2009, A national programme titled Haritha (Green) Lanaka (HLP) was developed and launched by the
National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD). NCSD is chaired by the President of the Country
and the Haritha (Green) Lanka program was developed under NCSD to secure the leadership of the
highest political authority of the country. This programme has ten missions/thrust areas under which
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It is expected to increase this target to 20% to achieve by 2020
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strategies and short, medium and long term action plans have been developed with key performance
indicators under each activity.
The ten missions are;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Clean Air – Everywhere;
Saving the Fauna, Flora and Ecosystems;,
Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change;
Wise Use of the Coastal Belt and the Sea Around;
Responsible Use of the Land Resources;
Doing Away with the Dumps;
Water for All and Always;
Green Cities for Health and Prosperity;
Greening the Industries;
Knowledge for Right Choices.
Comprehensive, achievable and measurable indicators were established for 82 strategies and 375
activities that were set up under the 10 broad thrust areas. The performance of the Haritha (Green) Lanka
Programme was to be monitored by the Ministry of Plan Implementation. As there is no such a ministry
exists under the present portfolio, the Ministry of Environment which functions as the secretariat to the
NCSD is monitoring the performance in collaboration with the stakeholders. Some significant
achievements have been made under the programme by implementing agencies. The action plan has
been included in the syllabi by the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration where administrative
officers in the country are trained. However, it has to be noted that a strong monitoring mechanism is a
major requirement to achieve the objectives of the Haritha (Green) Lanka Programme linking with
provincial councils, local authorities, district and divisional secretariats, private sector and communities.
The country needs a skilled human resource base which can adequately provide environmental friendly
knowledge and technical facilities/services to support to build green infrastructure required to move into a
green economy which is not currently available in the country at required levels and quality.
5.3 Strategies to promote voluntary action
While imposing regulations, the Ministry of Environment launched an Environmental Charter on the
‘World Environment Day’ in 2008 to promote voluntary action in environmental management. The charter
includes a shared vision, five principles and seven habits to commit and practice for all citizens of Sri
Lanka; this is directly related to the SPC efforts at all levels.
Shared vision of the Environmental Charter
1. The ecosystem possesses a limited carrying capacity. It cannot absorb unlimited pollution and
natural resources depletion arising from the unsustainable production and consumption of
humankind.
2. Unsustainable production and consumption leads to degradation of natural ecosystems and
creates grave imbalances of the quality of life of all life forms including human beings.
3. Ecosystems are inextricably interlinked and any adverse impact on one could lead to numerous
chain reactions on the others.
4. Sustainable systems are circular in nature self sustaining. Outputs become inputs.
5. “Time” cannot be regained once lost and productive use of time with environmental care is
essential. I added the ‘is essential.’ Maybe it is not in the original but something is missing as you
now have it stated.
Five principles of the Environmental Charter
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1. It is the duty of every person in Sri Lanka to protect nature and conserve its riches as stipulated in
the Constitution.
2. All national environmental policies, statutes and standards are minimal compliance requirements.
3. It is necessary to resort to a lifestyle having minimal environmental footprint, which goes beyond
mere compliance.
4. Each of us has an important role in addressing environmental degradation caused by
unsustainable production and consumption.
5. Living in harmony with the environment with a simple lifestyle leads to a sustainable future.
Seven Habits of the Environmental Charter
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Practice water conservation and efficient use in all water consuming activities.
Ensure optimal utilisation of land with minimum impacts to the environment.
Adopt energy conservation and efficient practices in all energy-consuming actions.
Promote and adopt environmentally responsible purchasing of goods and services.
Practice waste avoidance over recycling and recycling over the other forms of treatment and
disposal practices.
6. Be a ‘change agent’ to promote environmental best practices and transfer such knowledge to
future generations.
7. Live as citizens and corporate entities within a minimum permissible environmental footprint, and
thereby, be an example to other countries in the world.
This charter was posted on the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Administrations
in the same year (2008) for information of all the government institutions requesting them to adhere.
However in the absence of efficient monitoring mechanisms, the outcome of the Environmental Charter
cannot be either quantified or reported. What can be emphasized is that there are ample policies
available in the country to move into a green economy.
The environmental charter is something that could be introduced into general parlance – that can be
displayed in public places and industrial notice boards, schools etc. in an attempt to create awareness.
These types of voluntary mechanisms may best be promoted by the nongovernmental organizations and
community leaders if the communities are empowered with the required knowledge and other
infrastructure facilities. The organizations such as Practical Action could provide appropriate technologies
in line with the principles of Green Growth that are socially inclusive.
6. The way forward
As mentioned in the previous section, there are significant policies available in Sri Lanka that support
green growth. Many projects have been implemented and also under implementation to promote cleaner
production/sustainable production. In order to scale-up and wide-spread the best practices and take new
initiatives and make progress to achieve expected outcomes and positive impacts, it is necessary to focus
on ecologically sound system’s perspectives of appropriate scale, limits-to-growth and equity as essential
elements in the development scenarios.
In order to address the deficiencies and inabilities to make progress in achieving a green economic
growth, it is necessary to integrate the system dynamics conducive to promote sustainable production as
well as consumption and enhance the responsiveness and collaboration of production processes and
consumption practices through effective monitoring and reporting systems.
6.1 Supportive elements of production side
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The following key external forces/supporting elements are necessary to stimulate producers to produce
sustainable products and to help sustain their programmes:

Supportive public policy and environmental regulations, recognition, rewards and
penalties in the implementation of Sustainable production and Consumption (SPC);

Responsive agents to sensitize, to promote and to make the population fully aware of Cleaner
production, Environmentally sound technologies and Sustainable production and consumption
(CPTs/ESTs/SPC);

Responsive, qualified and capable agents to develop/adapt/adopt/transfer Green
Technologies and to provide technological and non-technical services to promote implementation
of SPC;

Responsive and committed funding agents, Angel funds , and prudent investments to
support the development and implementation of SCP in Sri Lanka;

Suppliers of green human resources to promote and support the implementation of SCP.
Green human resources imply skilled human resources with adequate capacity to integrate SPC
in the economic and social developmental programs at all levels.
6.2 Supportive elements of consumption side

On the consumption side, the following four external forces/supportive elements were identified to
help to ensure behavioural changes of consumers toward SCP. Service providers who work to
ensure sensitisation/promotion/dissemination of SCP and related green concepts among the
public by providing information to all pertaining to prudent product and practice choices;

Fiscal measure developers and implementers to foster efficiency among consumers in
resource and energy intensive sectors;

Environmental regulations, which promote practices for moving beyond compliance of existing
standards so as to improve resource and energy efficiency and to reduce pollution levels.
Incentives and rewards for environmentally prudent choices and penalties for resource intensive
choices;

Ecosystem health is maintained so that it continues to provide ecosystem services such as
water regulation, climate regulation (clean air), waste treatment, provision of food, provision of
medicinal plants, provision of raw material, provision of recreation etc. for the health and
wellbeing of the people.
Batuwitage (2011)
As mentioned above, strong responsiveness and collaboration is necessary between the production and
consumption sides to achieve the desired objective. Absence of or deficiencies in one of the nine external
forces will have negative impacts on achieving the desired outcomes. The root causes of failures of many
significant initiatives to achieve expected outcomes in the country is due to either failure of or inability to
consider the system perspective of the problem domain and address the challenges through strong
monitoring and reporting systems. Periodic publication of the status of the ecosystems can help political,
academic and NGO leaders to identify the right mix of interventions necessary to fine-tune the external
forces to continue or to accelerate the changes in the direction of SCP and thus, to make the outcomes
more sustainable.
Transformation of existing jobs into green jobs, Promotion of new Green Jobs and Substitution to Green
Jobs as appropriate will be an input as well as a continuous outcome if timely action is taken with an
integrated approach in the path of sustainable development. Socially inclusive and socially just – green
jobs concepts and Strategies are useful for promotion of decent work and equity for all.
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7. Opportunities and Challenges of adopting Green Growth Strategies/technologies
In order to analyze/understand how adopting development strategies that are softer scarce resources and
on environment help or not help Sri Lanka in the current context to help reach its goals effectively, three
key issues are considered and presented below in energy sector, water sector and solid waste
management sector.
7.1 Energy sector
The Bio Energy Association of Sri Lanka in its proposals sent to the Ministry of power and energy for the
review of the current national energy policy highlights two errors from the past that have to be avoided in
the new policy:

The first error is opting for oil based generation as the only alternative for the use of hydro
electricity, which accounted for 95 per cent of our needs, without looking for other indigenous
resources. Association claims that today we are mesmerized with the thought that coal power is
the panacea which is not. The association specifies that the contribution from hydro resources
was reduced to less than 50 per cent as a result of this option.
The second error is the very large subsidy given to industries using furnace oil for thermal generation
which resulted in crippling the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with an considerable/avoidable loss.
Moreover, many industries who are converting their furnaces and kilns fired with imported oil to bio mass,
which is a progressive step, are being handicapped by this subsidy. Those using oil continue to have an
advantage with the hugely subsidized oil14. The Association urges that Sri Lanka not having any proven
fossil fuel resources has to accept the challenge of developing several sources of renewable energy
available to us. It emphasizes that this is a blessing in disguise and harnessing indigenous sources will
not only ensure energy security but will help Sri Lanka to retain its position as a low carbon footprint
country with the attendant numerous advantages.
In this context, the recent initiative taken to install a solar panel in the official residence of H.E.the
President for energy can be sighted as a pace setting significant step to bolster application of renewable
energy sources under the direct leadership at the highest political level. The promotion of the CFL bulbs
island wide is also an important step that have been taken to stimulate green initiatives in the energy
sector.
It is necessary to take cognizance of technological advances being made in developed countries to
harness inexhaustible renewable energy resources such as solar thermal and wind energy systems which
are expected to replace fossil fuels altogether in the foreseeable future. Sri Lanka has to accept the
challenge of developing a mix of several sources of renewable energy available to us.
The organizations such as Practical Action could assist the industries to utilize renewable energy sources
by providing access to appropriate technologies in line with the Schumacher’s philosophies which lead to
ensure sustainability of transformation.
7.2
Prevention of river bank erosion by using Bio-Engineering methods
The two figures below present a success story of using bio-engineering methods to prevent river bank
erosion in Deduru Oya.
14
This has now been corrected with the recent price revision. It is hoped that this will not be reverted as
was done in the past
13
Photography by Soysa M.B, Divisional Secretariat, Chilaw (2011)
The initiative was taken by the Land Use Division of the Divisional Secretariat of Chilaw in collaboration
with the local community with funding from the Ministry of Environment. The project reduced the carbon
footprint tremendously by avoiding exclusive use of conventional type concrete and cement structures
and on the other hand enhanced the bio-capacity of the area which are the key elements of green growth.
National Policies have to be develped to encourage utilization of these types of low cost socially
acceptable, environmental friendly strategies island wide as appropriate.
7.3
Solid Waste Management
Today, it has become a challenge for the local authorities to manage solid waste in an environmentally
sound manner. The National Policy and Strategy of Solid Waste Management highlights the importance
of following the waste management hierarchy: “Avoidance of waste generation, reduction, reuse and
recycle of unavoidable waste and then disposal of the residual waste in an environmentally sound
manner”. The waste management policy further highlights the importance of composting of degradable
waste as a viable, appropriate and low cost option. In the context of Sri Lanka this type of strategies are
appropriate as against high cost, energy intensive strategies such as incineration in general, considering
the type and the amount of waste generation by majority of the local authorities.
According to the database of Municipal Solid Waste in Sri Lanka (2005) published by the Ministry of
Environment, which represents the data of 2004, there is only one local authority (Colombo Municipality CMC) which generated more than 150 metric tons a day. CMC generated 700 metric tons a day which
can be considered as an outlier that needs different policy options other than rest of the other LAs.
The second highest amounts generated accounted for ranging from 50 to 150 metric tons a day in 5
municipalities. In today’s context it may be increased by another 50 MTs or so upto about 250 MTs a day.
It is important to note that according to the data base, Out of 311 LAs at that time, 261 generated less
than ten MTs a day. This may be increased upto additional 10 to 15 tons as of today. It should also be
noted that the moisture content of the solid waste in Sri Lanka is relatively higher than that of developed
countries. Therefore it is very important that the technologies have to be carefully selected as appropriate
to the local conditions avoiding energy intensive technologies. At present many LAs are implementing
composting as a strategy for reduction of the waste to be finally disposed of. However, many of these
composting technologies have to be upgraded considering the occupational health impacts of the
labourers who are handling waste, to reflect that their jobs are green as well as decent.
The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) has taken steps to absorb this labour force in
to its National and Vocational Qualification (NVQ) system which provides more recognition as well as
opportunities for this green job category to improve the skills in the SWM sector.
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Similarly the technical and vocational education system can be scaled up to absorb unskilled human
capital in the country and build their capacities to take up the contemporary challenges of economic
development in Sri Lanka creating a skilled human resource base which eventually will promote and
create green jobs.
It has been recommended by a study (unpublished) on “Evaluation of the Status of Environmental
Education System in Sri Lanka” conducted by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that a National Environmental Centre is
established in the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) for Integration of Environmental
Education in the Tertiary and Vocational Education Systems in Sri Lanka
The UNIVOTEC has been established in 2008 by Act of Parliament with a vision to be the leading
University providing technical and vocational education for all with aspirations to achieve professional and
Technological excellence.
Its Mission is:



to provide services in human resources, curriculum, learning resources development, research
and consultancy
to achieve professional excellence with ethical rectitude and
to liaise with global TVET sector, academic community and industry
The main objective of the UNIVOTEC is to provide progressive upward movement to the students in the
technical education and vocational training system, based on their aptitudes and abilities, to acquire
university education.
The UNIVOTEC can be the lead body for the following functions:






Develop training material on environmental aspects in the TVET;
Provide laboratory/workshop facilities for teaching/learning activities on environmental studies;
Research and development in the TVET sector;
Create different units of incubators for environmental studies in the TEVT where such incubators
could serve to produce and support youth who are willing to become entrepreneurs in
environmental management;
Train lecturers on environmental oriented TVET subjects at various levels; and
Form a network with the other government and private sector institutions including other
universities with a view to periodically evaluate the performance of the human resource
development in the Tertiary and Vocational Education Systems in Sri Lanka.
8. Conclusion
The present multiple global crises situation signals us the need for moving away from the economic
development paths followed by the industrialized countries during their industrial revolution, as
appropriate. The economists have not been successful in predicting the present crises situation in their
economic models that encouraged exponential economic growth without consideration of the ecosystem
limitations.
The concepts of Green economy/Green growth are emerging as a solution to address the crises.
However, developing countries are in a more vulnerable situation in facing contemporary challenges of
development with limited access to appropriate technologies at affordable prices. Green development
policies and strategies should be designed taking into account the need for economic and social
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development and poverty eradication as overriding priorities of developing countries within the framework
of sustainable and equitable development.
In this process, developing countries can transform the challenges into opportunities if they are
sufficiently empowered with skills and knowhow combining with ‘public, private and community
partnerships’.
The key principles suggested by Schumacher in his publication “Small is Beautiful” are valid in the context
of today more than ever. Schumacher emphasized the need to learn how to live peacefully, not only with
our fellow human beings, but also with nature and, above all, with Higher Powers which have made
nature and have made us. For living in harmony with nature with extraordinary satisfaction, it is necessary
to avoid both affluence and abject poverty in the process of economic development. “The Middle Path” is
encouraged by our ancient culture and it is no way antagonistic to physical well being. Adhering to
sustainable lifestyles focusing on simplicity and non-violence leading to credible satisfaction of results is
the key to achieve sustainable development worldwide. Schumacher defined this type of way of life as
“Buddisht Economy”, just as the modern materialist way of life has brought forth modern economics. He
pointed out that from an economist’s point of view, the marvel of the Buddhist way of life is the utter
rationality of its pattern – amazingly small means leading to extraordinary satisfaction of results.
There are ample policies available in Sri Lanka that promotes green economy. What is lacking is their
effective implementation due to various challenges and obstacles. In order to make progress, it is
necessary to integrate policies, legislation, incentives, technology, and knowhow. Process auditing on
green growth and piloting selected interventions for learning are necessary steps towards to make policy
outcomes effective. For a wider impact of policies and strategies, it is necessary to promote economic
and social organizations at community level to effectively practice green growth strategies. As
Schumacher emphasized ‘knowledge, organization and discipline’ are the three elements that make
development interventions effective to produce desired outcomes. Community driven development
experience with those three elements need to be utilized where reshaping attitudes with limits and
disciplined consumption form part of the challenge to produce results on the ground.
In this process, it is necessary to be mindful of negative consequences of the energy intensive massive
infrastructure in planning and executing national development progrmmes. External assistance is
necessary to enhance the skills and capacities of the human capital to meet the challenges of this
transformation. Financial and technical assistance is also necessary to bridge the incremental costs of
some of the green infrastructure especially in the energy, industry and green human resource
development sectors as the development has to be taken place within a shrinking environmental space
as specified above in this paper. Sri Lanka should not delay in implementing of the policies and
strategies available with effective monitoring and reporting systems and identifying the right mix of
interventions, by mobilizing the stakeholders to take timely action to make progress in this endeavor.
References:
1. A Global Green New Deal, (2009) Towards a Green Economy: Report prepared for the Economic and
Trade Branch, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of the United Nations Environment
Programme: Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming, Laramie: United Nations
Environment Programme, (www.unep.org/greeneconomy).
2. Batuwitage, L.P. (2011) A Sustainable Production and Consumption Model for Sri Lanka: Developing
Country Perspectives in Relation to Global Change, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The
Netherlands.
3. GEO3 (2002) Global Environment Outlook: Past present and future perspectives, United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya.LO Annual Global Employment Trends Report
(2009) International Labour office, Geneva.
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4. Green Economy (2009) The New Big Deal, Our Planet: The magazine of the United Nations
Environment Programme: UNEP.
5. Human Development Report (2007/2008) Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a dividing
World, United Nations Development Programme.
6. ILO Annual Global Employment Trend Report (2009): International Labour Office, Geneva.
7. Kike the Habit (2008) A UN Guide to Climate Neutrality, UNEP.
8. Mahinda Chinthana-Vision for the Future (2010), The Development Policy Framework, Department of
National Planning, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of Sri Lanka.
9. National Action Plan for Haritha Lanka (2009) National Council for Sustainable Development,
Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 4; Ministry of Environment and natural Resources, Sri Lanka.
10. Schumaher E.F. (1993) Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People mattered, VINTAGE.
11. The Global Footprint Network (2011), www.footprintwrk.org.
12. Towards a Green Economy (2011) Pathways to Sustainable development and Poverty Eradication, A
synthesis for Policy Makers, UNEP.
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