Workshop - Towards a Green Economy
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Institute of
Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka will organize a half day's
symposium to mark the World Environmental Day on the theme "Towards a
Green Economy'. The event will be held today 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at
the Ground Floor Auditorium, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Green Economy can be defined as one that results in improved human
well being and social equity, whilst significantly reducing
environmental risks and ecological scarcities (UNEP, 2010). It is a low
carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive one. In a green
economy, growth in income and employment are driven by public and
private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance
energy and resource efficiency and prevent the loss of biodiversity and
ecosystem services.
Significant thrust areas in the workshop is to touch on the main
areas in a green economy such as green buildings, manufacturing and
industry, sustainable transport, efficient and effective use of
resources i.e. water, forests, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, energy
supply. As this is an area which the entire world including Sri Lanka is
questing, this will be a landmark event in the country and a beginning
of a series of such events which will help to shape the country's future
and steer it to a sustainable path.
A number of presentations will be made by experts in the fields. Dr.
Thusitha Sugathapala, Director General, Sustainable Energy Authority
will speak on Sustainable Energy for a Green Economy. Prof. Thishan
Jayasinghe, Senior Professor, Department of Civil Engineering University
of Moratuwa is scheduled to address the gathering on Green Buildings for
a Green Economy. Muthukudaarachchi, Deputy Director General, Pollution
Control, Central Environmental Authority will present a paper titled
Environmental Pollution Control towards a Green Economy while Chalaka
Fernando, Manager/Environment, Holcim Lanka will speak on Life Cycle
Assessment - A Tool for Environmental Responsibility Beyond Compliance.
A panel discussion will also be held with the panelists Prof.
Hemanthi Ranasinghe, President, IEPSL, Asela Iddawela, General Manager,
Holcim Lanka, Premachandra, Director/Uva Province CEA, Eng. Karunasena
Hettiarachchi, Chairman/NWSDB and Dr. Jayathunga, Director, Sustainable
Development, Ministry of Environment. It will be chaired by B. R. U. D.
Basnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Environment
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