Editor’s Note: In this article, authors from Malaysia University of Science & Technology highlight the importance of integrating civil society voices in climate policy, especially within developing countries. Presented at the recent International Conference on Digital Innovation, their study underscores the need for increased public awareness and engagement in Sri Lanka’s climate change initiatives. This article aims to encourage meaningful dialogue and action on climate issues among the Sri Lankan public.
by Dr Anthony Vaz, Co-authors: Dr. Thebuwena A C H J & Dr. Dongkor J B A
At an International Conference on Digital Innovation in Vietnam on 8th/9th November 2024, (Sustainability through the lens of Sustainable Development Goals, SDG), a paper was presented that suggested that civil society in Sri Lanka needs to be more involved in climate change policies within the country. The United Nations Communication of Progress (COP28) held recently in Dubai managed to gain consensus from nations on reducing green house gas emissions to achieve net zero carbon, a target the UN aims to achieve by 2030.
However, emission of carbon dioxide reached 4.7 million ppm (parts per million) in March 2024 at measurements in the Hawaiian Mauna Loa observatory, sending global temperatures reaching an all time high. The consequence are the higher temperatures worsen air quality resulting in respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. Diseases such as malaria, dengue spread and the Zika virus that cause congenital malformations in infants born, thrive in warmer and humid conditions. Warmer and dryer environments affects crop yields in the agriculture sector, promoting the spread of agricultural pests and diseases and further threatening food production.
Many species are facing biodiversity loss as they struggle to adapt to rapid temperature changes due to shifts in ecosystems. Coral bleaching due to increased ocean temperatures continue to threaten fish species that also lead to migration and habitat changes among animals and plants. On the social and political front, migration and displacement of people lead to potential conflicts and humanitarian issues. Temperature and humidity changes affect water availability impacting crop growth and livestock. Social tensions due to water and food scarcity lead to conflicts over resources, which impact vulnerable populations, widening existing inequalities and marginalised communities affected by climate change.
Factors that have a direct relationship with the lack of civil society involvement in integration of civil society perspectives in policy development were found to be limited public awareness and engagement as well as insufficient education initiatives about climate change within the country.
In Sri Lanka the diverse economy including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, has increasingly recognized the importance of addressing CO2 emissions. The country has been experiencing the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, prompting greater awareness of the need for comprehensive emissions accounting. Industries like tea and apparel production, major contributors to Sri Lanka’s economy, are under pressure to address their CO2 emissions, particularly those associated with packaging, raw material sourcing and transportation.
The study recommended that there should be a score or index representing the level of public awareness of climate change and an attempt to measure this in Sri Lanka. Areas to measure them could be awareness related to patterns of rainfall, rising temperatures and extreme climate events.
Education initiatives could be represented by the number of educational programs, reach or effectiveness of educational Initiatives, comparing year on year improvements. Syllabus to focus on could be in the areas such as waste recycling, reuse and reduce. In addition, topics that relate to human, plant and animal habitat, biodiversity restoration, energy use and CO2 emissions could be included in early primary education.
The integration of civil society perspectives could be measured by the extent to which policies include input from civil society using a qualitative to quantitative method. Civil society must be encouraged to take ownership of climate change through education, capacity-building and resource allocation, supporting sustainable practices at grassroot level. This would include the role of civil society in environment governance, allowing civil society to collect, analyze and disseminate information in addition to agenda setting leading to a policy development process to further access environmental conditions and monitoring compliance with environmental agreements.
