The United Nations has set seventeen global goals for sustainable development for its member countries. “Out of them Sri Lanka should prioritize on four goals.” Ravi Fernando, Executive in Residence, INSEAD Business School, France, Chairman/CEO of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Pvt.Ltd said this in a public lecture held in Colombo.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were initiated in September 2000 signed by leaders of 189 countries. Eight measurable goals were set to be achieved, which are Eradicate the extreme poverty and hunger, Achieve universal primary education, Promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, Improve maternal health, Combat HIV aids, malaria and other diseases, Ensure environmental sustainability and Global partnership for development.
The Rio+20 conference (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) in Rio de Janeiro, June 2012 galvanized a process to develop a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will carry on the momentum generated by the MDGs and fit into a global development framework beyond 2015.
Thus in 2015 the MDGs were replaced by seventeen goals set by the United Nations General Assembly. These seventeen goals are No poverty, Zero hunger, Good health and wellbeing, Quality education, Gender equality, Clear water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy, Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Life below water, Life on land, Peace, justice and strong institution and Partnerships for the goals.
“Out of these goals I believe that Sri Lanka needs to give priority mainly for four goals.” said Fernando. These four goals are, Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt bio diversity loss and Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Every nation needs to look on and work on priorities to fight against global warming and green house effects.
Global carbon emission in 2018 had set to hit an all time high of 37.1 billion tones. Electricity and heat production had contributed to the maximum which is 25%. Agriculture, forestry and other land use, Buildings, Transportation, Industry and other energy have contributed 24%, 6%, 14%, 21% and 10% accordingly. The total carbon dioxide gas emission from fossil fuels and industrial processes was 65% and that from forestry and other land use was 11%.
There are two types of energy: Renewable (Bio gas, Solar power, Wind power, Hydro power) and non renewable (Coal and fossil fuels). Currently Sri Lanka has 35% renewable energy and 65% non renewable energy. “By 2020 60% need to be renewable and 40% need to be non renewable. Long term plans have to be initiated to make renewable energy increase by 20% and non renewable energy decrease by 20% in ten years time.” said Ravi Fernando. The country can be globally competitive when the cost of energy is brought down. Thus this paves the way to attract more investors.
The opinion of the majority is that renewable energy is much costly than adopting non renewable. However countries like Uruguay, Costa Rica and Bhutan have opted for renewable energy. Companies like Tesla have incorporated battery and solar power technologies for electric vehicle production and countries like South Australia, Hawaii, Costa Rica have shifted to using electric vehicles. Thus the demand for electric vehicles should be encouraged in a country like Sri Lanka so that usage of fossil fuels will be reduced. Further, incentivize manufacturing, plantations, and hotels to go 100% renewal energy off grid by 2030.
Another goal is to “harvest the rain”. “Singapore collects 75% of rain water where we only collect 29% of rainwater.” The main issue prevailing in the country is the improper maintenance of tanks and reservoirs, which leads to wastage of water. Around 22 districts faces drought and there are 103 polluted rivers in the country. Expected harvests from plantations are down due to insufficient water. By 2030 most of the Southern states of the world have to face a shortage of water. Sri Lanka is also liable for this situation. Thus tanks have to be distilled and such activity needs to be encouraged among the general public. A national strategy needs to be implemented to harvest the rain from 29% to 70%. Plantations need to be incentivized to create rain water harvesting ponds. Further this needs to be encouraged in residencies too.
50 percent of the world’s forest cover has been destroyed in the last 30 years and 52% of the world’s animal species have been destroyed in the past 40 years. According to recent statistics Sri Lanka has only 16% virgin forest cover left while 20% are from plantation cover. It was recorded that deforestation happens at a rate of 1.5% per annum. Moreover 50% amphibians, 25% mammals and more than 10% of bird species are threatened. Thus deforestation has impacted heavily on the island and this in turn would pave the way for scarcity of water. Hence forest regeneration plans needs to be implemented and all sectors have to be encouraged to reforest and conserve to achieve 40% cover. Drones and Forest Watch (WRI) could be used to monitor in real time all the deforestation and reforestation activities and impose punitive fines if found guilty. The biodiversity also need to be protected and suitable legislations have to be brought up accordingly.
Another goal that we must achieve is innovation and infrastructure. Sustainable development needs to be brought up in order to leverage China’s one belt one road initiative. This would be a huge opportunity for Sri Lanka to open up for the international market. Also development of the KRA canal connecting the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea across Southern Thailand would further provide greater economic benefits for the island. Hence the country should be prepared to accommodate these benefits.
“We have to have proper strategies and policies to reap benefits” he further said. Plans which stretch for further 15 to 20 years needs to be made and put into action. Thus we must develop the Hambantota free trade area and take maximum out of the geographical location of the country. Natural resources like titanium, graphite needs to be fully optimized for exports and joint ventures with foreign countries like China and Europe have to be implemented for technical assistance. “Human capital needs to be utilized appropriately. Strategies to leverage the Free Trade Agreements with China, Thailand, Bangladesh and the ASEAN have to be implemented.”
“This is what I’m expecting from all the responsible authorities.” he added further.
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