EU supports launch of Sri Lanka’s revised National Green Reporting System Guidelines

Saturday, 6 June 2026 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake launching the revised National Green Reporting System Guidelines

Key initiative in partnership with UNIDO

As part of its ongoing partnership with Sri Lanka on climate action and sustainable development, the European Union supported the Ministry of Environment in revising the National Green Reporting System (NGRS) Guidelines through the EU-funded ‘Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL)’ project, implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The revised guidelines align with internationally recognised sustainability reporting frameworks and will help strengthen transparency, accountability, and sustainability performance across Sri Lanka’s public and private sectors. The new guidelines were officially launched yesterday by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the National Environment Day celebrations held at Temple Trees.

Originally introduced in 2011 through support provided by the European Union-funded SWITCH-Asia Programme, the National Green Reporting System has now been modernised to align with the latest international sustainability reporting practices. The revised guidelines are based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and are designed to support organisations in reporting their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance in line with globally recognised frameworks.

“The European Union has been a long-standing partner in promoting sustainable consumption and production in Sri Lanka, from supporting the development of the first Green Reporting System to backing its revision through this project. By aligning the National Green Reporting System with globally recognised standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative standards, we are supporting Sri Lankan companies generate robust, comparable environmental, social, and governance data, demonstrate compliance with evolving EU and global sustainability requirements, and preserve and expand their access to high‑value international markets,” said Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Head of Cooperation Dr Johann Hesse.

The National Green Reporting System provides a practical, voluntary reporting platform for organisations across manufacturing, commercial, and service sectors to measure, manage, and disclose their sustainability performance. By enhancing transparency and accountability, the system will help businesses improve operational efficiency, strengthen stakeholder trust, attract investment, manage risks more effectively, and identify new market opportunities.

“The launch of the revised National Green Reporting System demonstrates Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient economic development,” said AICRSL Project Chief Technical Specialist Dr. Jagathdeva Vidanagama. “As global markets increasingly value transparency and sustainability performance, the NGRS provides Sri Lankan organisations with a practical pathway to align with international standards, strengthen competitiveness, and contribute meaningfully to national and global sustainability goals.”

Through its partnership with the Ministry of Environment and UNIDO, the European Union remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s transition towards a greener, more resource-efficient, and competitive economy.