The outputs from the scoping and set-up phase by the end of 2019 are:  a) an agreed and approved Country Planning Framework (CPF) as the blueprint to kick start green growth interventions for Sri Lanka; and, b.) in-country operations initiated through a Staff Special Assignment. Through the scoping and set-up activities, preparations of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project will be undertaken and other earmarked project opportunities will be identified. 

In January 2019, GGGI welcomed the Government of Sri Lanka as its thirtieth Member, committing to support the country in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and implementing its national adaptation plan. Nominated as its delivery partner under the Green Climate Fund, GGGI supported the Government of Sri Lanka in the preparation and submission of a US$3M National Adaptation Plan Readiness Proposal in June 2019, the approval of which is anticipated in mid-2020. The project will build on the results of the country’s earlier key adaptation initiatives which include the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2011-2016 and the National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change Impacts 2016-2025. Aimed to strengthen the capacity and system to implement NAP by Sri Lanka – a small island country highly vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change. The Global Climate Risk Index ranks Sri Lanka as the second country at-most-risk in 2017 based on the impact analyses of weather-related loss events. In September 2019, the GGGI Sri Lanka Country Program set-up was officially commenced and the Interim Country Planning Framework (CPF) was submitted to the Government during the occasion of Sri Lanka’s Blue-Green Summit in October. The Interim CPF 2020-2024 will however need to be further validated under the newly elected Government in November 2019. A final validation workshop will be conducted prior to the target launch in Q3 of 2020, the schedule of which has been adjusted in light of the COVID-19 crisis.  GGGI’s intervention areas under the CPF aims to support Sri Lanka’s NDC 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets in the areas of energy, transport, and forestry. 

A key component in the CPF preparation process included in-country stakeholder consultation sessions to validate the identified sectoral/thematic focus areas in support of Government targets for: 

a) Energy-efficient and environment-friendly transport

b) Green energy and energy efficiency  

c) Forest/mangroves restoration  

Provision of a GGGI office space for the Country Program Lead within the Environment Ministry supported relations-building with counterpart agency and facilitated the more efficient communication and coordination which helped to secure participation of other government agencies and stakeholders in the consultation sessions. This puts GGGI in a unique and strategic position among development partners in-country. 

The project aligns with IO2. Increased green growth investment flows which enable partner governments to implement green growth policies and IO3. Improved multi-directional knowledge sharing and learning to empower local and external agents necessary to drive green growth processes in partner governments. 

Impact:  Sri Lanka’s green growth is reflected in the transport, energy and forestry sectors. 

Outcome: N/A 

Project Outputs completed in 2019:  

i. Green Growth Policies:N/A

ii. Green Investments:N/A

iii. Capacity Building and Knowledge Products: N/A 

Project Manager: Maricor Muzones 

Jin Young Kim.