In recent years, Sri Lanka has become increasingly vulnerable to the adverse effects of global warming, which threaten its environment, economy, and the livelihoods of its people. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, the island nation has taken proactive steps to adapt to these challenges and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
One of Sri Lanka’s primary strategies in combating global warming is the promotion of renewable energy sources. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka aims to achieve 70% of its energy generation from renewable sources by 2030. This ambitious target includes harnessing solar, wind, and small hydropower to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit dependency on fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to global warming.
Agriculture, a critical sector of Sri Lanka’s economy and food security, faces challenges such as changing rainfall patterns and increased pest outbreaks due to global warming. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) notes that Sri Lanka is implementing climate-smart agricultural practices, including introducing drought-resistant crops, improved water management techniques, and capacity building for farmers to adapt to climate variability.
To ensure effective adaptation at the grassroots level, Sri Lanka has prioritised community engagement and capacity building. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights initiatives such as training programmes for local communities on disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and sustainable land management practices.
At the policy level, Sri Lanka has developed a National Climate Change Policy Framework to guide adaptation and mitigation efforts across sectors. This framework integrates climate considerations into national development plans and policies, emphasising sustainable development practices and environmental protection.
Internationally, Sri Lanka actively participates in climate negotiations and collaborates with global partners to access climate finance and technology transfer. This collaboration enhances the country’s capacity to implement climate adaptation projects and strengthen its resilience against global warming impacts.
Against this backdrop, this article will examine how the agriculture, power, and irrigation sectors are preparing to face the adverse effects of global warming through various implemented projects.
Agriculture sector
Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera emphasised the importance of developing the agriculture sector to maintain successful cultivation even under harsh weather conditions, which is a significant challenge posed by climate change.
He stated that the country’s agriculture industry was ready to face difficult climatic conditions and that work was underway to develop the sector to ensure farmers could maintain successful cultivation.
“The Government has taken several initiatives to promote climate-resilient agriculture practices among farmers. One such initiative is the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), which began in 2019 to improve the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder agriculture in Sri Lanka. The project invested $ 1.72 million in five programmes that prioritised high-value food crops critical for food security and income generation, benefiting 19,923 farm families,” Amaraweera noted.
The Government has also encouraged the adoption of traditional agricultural practices that are climate-resilient. For example, the project promotes the use of rainwater harvesting strategies such as the cascade village tank system, shared cultivation, and dry seed paddy farming. Additionally, the project emphasises the importance of maintaining agro-biodiversity through mixed cropping, agroforestry, and the use of resistant crop varieties.
“Under the CSIAP, we built the first-ever Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) school called Farm Field School (FFS) to promote CSA practices in Sri Lanka. The FFS is used to train farmers and give hands-on experience on CSA practices to address the challenges of climate change,” Amaraweera elaborated.
In addition, the project ‘Strengthening the Resilience of Smallholder Farmers in the Dry Zone to Climate Variability and Extreme Events’ focuses on upgrading and enhancing the resilience of village irrigation systems, scaling up climate-resilient farming practices, and strengthening climate-resilient, decentralised water management solutions.
A workshop was held recently on climate resilient agricultural technologies to introduce new technologies and crop varieties that can help farmers adapt to climate change. The workshop aimed to provide information on climate-resilient agricultural practices, new technologies, and efficient information dissemination to stakeholders, including farmers.
Power sector
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic initiatives and ongoing efforts in the renewable energy sector, emphasising collaboration with international partners for the country’s energy transition. Notable progress includes Supreme Court approval of reforms aimed at driving renewable energy adoption, ensuring energy security, and lowering costs.
“Sri Lanka’s ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 70% renewable energy by 2030 and advancing carbon neutrality to 2040 includes a policy against new coal power plants, aligned with principles from COP26. However, challenges persist, notably the integration of 4,000 MW of new renewable energy into the grid by 2030,” Wijesekera said.
He outlined challenges faced in integrating renewable energy sources over the past two years, primarily due to the financial crisis deterring high-level developers from investing in Sri Lanka. While local developers and some international partnerships exist, they bear significant risks. Discussions with development partners have focused on mitigating these risks through financial and technical tools.
Infrastructure development is another significant hurdle, particularly in identified renewable energy zones in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. An estimated $ 6 billion investment over the next six years is needed to develop infrastructure, including integrating nine backbone lines with other transmission lines.
Wijesekera pointed out the need for additional technical assistance in evaluating projects and determining appropriate pricing to attract the right investors with suitable technology and ensure competitive pricing for consumers.
Acknowledging the importance of empowering agencies involved in the energy sector, he clarified that the reform bill aimed to strengthen rather than weaken them. Specifically, he highlighted the importance of empowering the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, proposing the establishment of an individual regulator empowered to oversee the electricity sector. Wijesekera stressed the necessity of continued support to achieve these goals effectively.
Irrigation sector
Meanwhile, an official from the Ministry of Irrigation explained that the Climate Resilience Improvement Project (CRIP) had been implemented to reduce the vulnerability of exposed people and assets to climate risk (flood, drought, and landslides) and to improve the Government’s capacity to respond effectively to disasters.
Apart from this, the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Programme; the Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP); the project to strengthen climate resilience of subsistence farmers and agricultural plantation communities residing in the vulnerable river basins, watershed areas, and downstream of the Knuckles Mountain Range catchment; and ‘Surakimu Ganga’ (Conserve Rivers) are just a few of the notable Government initiatives to improve water security and management.
Authorities are taking Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) strategies more seriously to improve water security and strike a balance in competing water use demands.
For instance, the Integrated Watershed and Water Resources Management Project (IWWRMP) has provided access to water for 700,000 people in seven districts. The National Water Resources Policy and Institutional Arrangements (2020) serve the objective of ensuring the use of water resources in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner, consistent with the social, economic, and environmental needs of the present and future generations.
Further, the National Agriculture Policy (draft) intends to provide specific guidance on irrigation water use and efficiency. Water supplies for agriculture, energy production, human health, and human settlements are all anticipated to be impacted due to the overall effects of climate change on water security.