Sustainable, equitable development:

Minister calls for World Consensus

Special corr.

Environment Minister Patalie Champika Ranawaka called for a world consensus on sustainable and equitable development based on Green economy and Green culture instead of the present neoliberal model of development.

He was addressing the Asian Regional Workshop for Climate Change negotiators from Non-Annex I countries held at Hotel Cinnamon Grand yesterday morning.

The present concept of modern development must be transformed into one of sustainable development as markets cannot control everything, he added.

Explaining the necessity of defining development anew, the Minister said that Sri Lanka has introduced a Sustainable Human Development Index for that purpose. He also said that the media has a vital role to play in promoting people’s awareness on climate change and other environmental issues.

The Minister also emphasized the need for new criteria in determining the challenges brought about by climate change and called for the establishment of an adaptation fund, a new international monitoring authority and an international Court of Justice on climate change related issues.

Sri Lanka has already established a Climate Change Secretariat, National Adaptation Centre and a Sri Lanka Carbon Fund, the Minister informed the international delegates present.

The Government did not hesitate to introduce an Environment Conservation Levy, even at the cost of being unpopular, he added.

The Minister said that Sri Lanka has also established a National Council for sustainable Development with the President as Chairman.