Climate Change Secretariat launched

by Nilma Dole

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources launched the Climate Change Secretariat to promote carbon trading. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said that much had to be done to protect the environment and leave a legacy for future generations.

Wickramanayake said “We need to ensure that the environment is protected and it does not fall prey to the destruction caused by the rest of the world.” The Carbon Fund was launched to promote environment friendly projects to minimize the impact of climate change on Sri Lanka.

Vice Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof. Mohan Munasinghe said, “Unless we adhere to the IPCC resolutions, we will have to face the consequences of global warming”.

He said “We should find adaptation and mitigation solutions to climate change through the Clean Development Mechanism”.

CEO, Carbon Fund Committee Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda said that Sri Lanka is a pioneer in seting up the Climate Change Secretariat. The Carbon Fund will be set up according to recognised standards and will help projects to cut down on carbon emissions.

Environment Minister Champaka Ranawaka, CEO of the Central Environment Authority, Udaya Gammanpila and Anura Jayatilleke of the Climate Change Secretariat were present.