ENG - UN CC:Learn

UNDP Sri Lanka recognizes environmental development as a vital component of the path towards sustainability of the country.
It acknowledges the intricate linkages between environmental sustainability and poverty reduction. In order to support this,
UNDP has given an extensive emphasis in developing the Energy and Environment portfolio according to the priorities and
needs of the country, linking closely with the promotion of sustainable livelihoods and ensuring that environmental concerns are
addressed in developing and implementing other UNDP and non-UNDP programmes in the country.
Miguel Bermeo, Resident Representative
CHEMICALS BIODIVERSITY ENERGY WATER FSSD*
PORTFOLIO
UNDP is assisting Sri Lanka meets its obligations towards international environmental conventions by conducting needs assessment of
institutional and human capacities. The National Capacity Self Assessment project aims to identify priorities and needs for capacity
development for the conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification while the Climate Change Enabling Activity identifies
technology needs, capacity building needs and preparation of programs to address climate change issues.
The Community Water Initiative (CWI) is developed to pilot, learn and disseminate experiences where communities can take action to
meet their needs sustainably. Increasing access and services and identifying solutions to be adapted widely is a major objective that is
fulfilled by engaging NGOs and CBOs in the management of local water resources. The CWI provides small grants to NGO/CBO to identify
and test low-cost, affordable, and ecologically-sound water supply and sanitation technologies.
UNDP’s assistance focuses on promoting increased utilization of renewable energy sources through private and government sector participation
in mini-hydro, wind energy, solar and biomass programs. Ongoing programmes also promote the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions by expanding the use of efficient technologies in the utilization of biomass energy in public and private sectors.
Several ongoing biodiversity projects address population increase, poverty and destructive livelihood practices in areas of globally
threatened marine turtle nesting sites, and areas of deforestation and illegal encroachments. The concern over invasive alien species
(IAS) is addressed by the effort to establish a mechanism needed to significantly reduce economic and ecological damage caused by
the introduction and spread of IAS.
Over a period of fourteen years the Government of Sri Lanka has worked closely with UNDP towards enhancing its programme activities
under the Montreal Protocol compliance framework. The ODS-using refrigeration, agriculture, aerosols and solvents sectors have
benefited through provision of an assistance portfolio comprising in the order of twenty projects. The on-going MB elimination projects
seek to assist the country to phase-out MB use in tea production and all remaining horticultural uses, excluding QPS applications.
Additionally, an incentive programme for the commercial and industrial end-user refrigeration sectors is being implemented, accompanied
by establishment of a national monitoring system.
CONTACTS
Ms. Darshani de Silva – darshani.desilva@undp.org
Tel.: 94 11 2580691 ext. 216
Fax: 94 11 581116
http://www.lk.undp.org/Ene&Env.html
1
UNDP,“Fast Facts: clean water and sanitation for the poor”: http://www.undp.org/dpa/publications/FSwater120303E.pdf and Esrey,
S.A,“Ecosan – The Big Picture”, 2001: http://www.undp.org/water/docs/nan_eco_pre.doc; Calvert, P,“Ecological Sanitation in India and Sri Lanka”, EcoSanRes, 2002:
http://www.ecosanres.org/PDF%20files/Nanning%20PDFs/Eng/Calvert%2014_E02.pdf; *Frameworks and Strategies for Sustainable Development
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