Govt. outlines measures to be Carbon-Net Zero by 2050

 Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera

• Cabinet green lights to draw up 5-year Road Map; to appoint committee of experts 
• Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says road map will be revised every 5 years to stay relevant 
• Proposal to strengthen functions, responsibilities of Sri Lanka Climate Fund, gets Cabinet nod
• ‘Each One – Plant One’ joint Cabinet proposal by Environment and Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministries get approval

The Government outlined new measures to fight climate change with plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions to a Carbon-Net Zero by 2050.

The Cabinet of Ministers in its meeting on Monday approved to draw up a Road Map and to appoint a committee of experts to do so.

“We intend to increase green spaces which will help trees to absorb the carbon dioxide emitted by industry and other processes,” Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, joining the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday.

He pointed out the Government Policy Framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ has identified the need to develop a Road Map to achieve the goal of making Sri Lanka a Carbon-Net Zero.

Minister Amaraweera said the proposed Road Map will be developed subject to be revised every five years so it will be relevant to socioeconomic developments. 

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal submitted by the Environment Minister to take necessary steps to structurally strengthen the functions and responsibilities of the Sri Lanka Climate Fund Ltd.

The Climate Fund of Sri Lanka Ltd. operates under the Environment Ministry was established to contribute to the work of reducing carbon emissions.

Minister Amaraweera hoped strengthening responsibilities and function of the fund will enable to maximise its contribution required to make Sri Lanka a Carbon-Net Zero by 2050.

Separately, a joint Cabinet paper by the Environment Ministry and the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry to increase vegetation, secure hydro catchment areas, enhance forest coverage by 30% and eradicate invasive plant species by 2025 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, in its meeting on Monday.

“The 2022 Budget has allocated Rs. 2 billion to implement the ‘Each One – Plant One’ initiative,” Amaraweera said.

Accordingly, the Wildlife and Forest Conservation and Environment Ministries expect to implement a raft of projects. 

These include; establishment of 200 forest villages, implementation of planting programs within schools and national education institutions, establishment of herbal gardens countrywide, implementation of planting programs within religious venues, on the banks of reservoirs, irrigation reserves as well as hydro catchment areas, in lands belonging to State organisations, semi-Government institution premises, conduct planting programs within lands managed by estate companies as well as private owned lands, setting up of plant nurseries countywide, implementation of a series of awareness programs among school children and community on wildlife and forest conservation as well as identification of appropriate plant species for forest cultivation and conduct research programs joined with Universities for development.