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From Grassroots to Policy: How Communities are Driving Climate Justice Solutions in Sri Lanka
UNDP, Sri Lanka - Edison Marynathan (far right) speaking on the identification of species in and around the Vankalai Sanctuary, which is home to mangroves, birds, animals, reptiles, plants and marine mammals, at the National Youth Dialogue 2022.
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Methma Imbuldeniya
Methma Imbuldeniya

From Grassroots to Policy: How Communities are Driving Climate Justice Solutions in Sri Lanka

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Communities in Sri Lanka are pioneering innovative, sustainable solutions to combat climate change, demonstrating how local actions can drive global progress toward environmental justice and resilience.

Developing countries like Sri Lanka, for instance, are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, despite contributing very little to its causes. In recent years, however, communities in Sri Lanka have been driving innovative and effective solutions to address the challenges of climate change, from the grassroots level up to policy-making circles. In this article, we will explore how communities in Sri Lanka are taking action against climate change and how their efforts are contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Grassroots Solutions: Sustainable Agriculture

At the grassroots level, community-led initiatives are emerging as effective solutions to climate change in Sri Lanka. For instance, in the village of Kambiadiya in central Sri Lanka, a group of women farmers have developed a sustainable agriculture model under the title ‘Kandyan Home Gardens,’ that promotes home gardening mostly for their own consumption, and where surpluses are sold.

By partnering up with the Women’s Development Foundation (WDF) and the Lanka Farmer Forum (LFF), the farmers are continuing to use organic farming methods, eliminate dangerous practices of using fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, use natural pest control methods, prepare multi-purpose live fences, soil conservation methods, and also ‘zero-budget farming’ techniques. These farmers have not only reduced their carbon footprint but also improved their livelihoods, as they are now selling their products to local markets and have become leaders in their communities.

Collaboration Between Sectors: Climate-Smart Farming

Sri Lankan public sector and private sector companies are working with farmers to adopt climate-smart practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change. For instance, Keells, in collaboration with smallholders, have launched an initiative called the ‘Keells Govi Diriya’ to support the transition from traditional farming practices to modern sustainable methods utilizing innovative technologies.

The company promotes digitalization to hundreds of farmers within the grassroots level, through a digital database for crop forecasting, yield decision-making, identifying ideal farms, and timing harvesting periods.

Policy Impact: The Ban on Single-Use Plastics

These grassroots initiatives have also succeeded in influencing policy-making at higher levels. For example, in 2019, the Sri Lankan government announced a ban on single-use plastics, after years of advocacy by local environmental groups. This ban is not only a victory for environmental conservation but also for social justice, as the negative effects of plastic pollution disproportionately affect low-income communities, locals living around waste-dump sites, Sri Lanka’s precious coastlines, and marine wildlife.

Renewable Energy: Ambitious Goals and Community Involvement

Community-led movements have also been instrumental in pushing for renewable energy solutions in Sri Lanka. In 2017, the Sri Lankan government announced its intention to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050, following years of advocacy by local environmental groups and civil society organizations. This ambitious target was seen as a recognition of the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards a more sustainable future. The country's need for installed generating capacity will increase from the current 3,700 megawatts (MW) to about 34,000 MW. Wind energy accounts for 15,000 MW of this, and solar energy accounts for about 16,000 MW. Balance capacity is expected to be met by hydro and biomass-based power plants.

Hence, Sri Lanka's National Energy Policy, launched in 2020, emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the planning and implementation of renewable energy projects, ensuring that these solutions are grounded in the needs and aspirations of local communities. Moreover, the country is already home to the largest wind farm in the region named the “Thambapavani Wind Farm’ built on the southern coast of the Mannar Island, which produced a 100-megawatt capacity. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka’s largest electricity supplier, regularly launches tenders for the deployment of solar energy through Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis developments. Under the ‘Soorya Bala Sangramaya’ (Battle for Solar Energy) program, the country aims to add 1 GW of solar electricity to the national grid by 2025.

Water and Coastal Management

Furthermore, Sri Lanka is also working to improve water management to cope with the impacts of climate change, including rainwater harvesting, where the pilot project began in a village called Dematawelihinna in central Sri Lanka and is now a Lanka-wide program under the Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum, to bring safe drinking water to all Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka is also taking steps to strengthen coastal resilience to the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, increased storm surges, and wastage dumping. The government has implemented initiatives such as the construction of seawalls and the restoration of mangrove forests, to protect coastal communities from these risks.

Moreover, Sri Lanka launched a program aiming to reduce environmental damage through innovative technological machinery for beach-clean ups. These measures contribute to the preservation of the coastal ecosystem of Sri Lanka, which accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s tourism infrastructure and approximately 33% of the population's livelihoods.

Leading the Way Toward Climate Justice

In short, communities in Sri Lanka are leading the way in finding climate justice solutions, from grassroots levels to policymakers. Through sustainable agricultural practices, conservation efforts, and renewable energy initiatives, these communities not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also create new economic opportunities and promote social justice. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, these community solutions are a beacon of hope and inspiration for all.

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