Climate change

IPS stresses need for ‘National Agenda’

Climate change is a complex challenge. The study conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) has stressed the need for a ‘National Agenda’ to face this complex challenge. The country is likely to face the impact in six major areas of critical importance - agriculture and irrigation, coastal zone, forests and natural eco-systems, human settlements and infrastructure, human health, and energy and industry, said IPS Executive Director Dr. Saman Kelegama.

The (IPS) launched a Country Report on climate change titled ‘Mainstreaming Climate Change for Sustainable Development: Towards a National Agenda for Action’ at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The report was handed over by the Chairman of the IPS, Prof. Buddhadasa Hewavitharana to the Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, before his departure to the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change.

The publication presents the findings of a policy analysis based on information from a recently held national workshop, discussions with experts and review of various sources of secondary information. The study highlights that Sri Lanka, being a tropical island in a disaster prone region, is highly vulnerable to climate change in terms of physical as well as socio-economic impacts. It presents a review of existing information on climate change in Sri Lanka and effects of global warming on local climate.

SJ