Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Responsibility
View all(36)🌊 Lanka Upcycles & Phoenix Industries Launch SL’s First Recycled Surf Fins 📈
• Key Partnerships & Innovation: Lanka Upcycles has partnered with local manufacturer Phoenix Industries to produce Sri Lanka's first surf fins made from discarded nylon fishing nets collected along the east coast. • Technical & R&D Breakthrough: Phoenix Industries' R&D team spent months formulating materials to meet strict surf fin standards for durability, stiffness, and water resistance before developing custom packaging. • Market Launch & Vision: The product debuted at the Arugambay Surf Champions 2026 in September, demonstrating commercial potential for circular innovation, plastic recovery, and marine conservation across Sri Lanka's coastal sector.
🌱 MAS Eco Go Beyond Marks 20 Years of Sustainability Education
South Asian apparel giant MAS Holdings is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its flagship Eco Go Beyond Sustainable Schools Program, launched in 2006 in partnership with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. • Overall Reach & Scale: - Reached over 377,000 students across 250 schools over two decades. - Engaged local educators, families, and communities surrounding MAS operating locations. • Program Focus & Evolution: - Developed to foster sustainability education and action within Sri Lanka's youth. - Evolved from traditional classroom learning to student-led community action projects addressing environmental and social challenges. • Strategic Context: - Highlights long-term corporate social responsibility within Sri Lanka's apparel & textiles sector, emphasizing youth empowerment, sustainable development, and community agency as the program enters its third decade.
🏥 Dialog Completes ETU Restoration at Kothmale Divisional Hospital
• Overview: Dialog Axiata PLC has completed the restoration of the Divisional Hospital in Kothmale, handing over a fully equipped Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) to bolster local healthcare infrastructure. • Funding & Scope: • Part of Dialog’s LKR 420 Mn post-Ditwah recovery programme targeting healthcare and education infrastructure. • Second completed hospital project following District General Hospital, Chilaw (October 2026). • Programme also includes developing IT infrastructure across 20 schools for digital education. • Economic & Social Impact: Strengthens regional public health services in Nuwara Eliya district, supporting community-level emergency care accessibility and infrastructure resilience through public-private partnership.
🦀 Sri Lanka’s Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Achieves Landmark MSC Certification
Sri Lanka’s North-Western blue swimming crab fishery (Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar) has officially earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, becoming the country’s first fishery to achieve this global environmental sustainability standard. • Key Highlights & Sector Impact: • Follows a 10-year collaborative Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) launched in 2013 among fishers, seafood exporters, and the Dept. of Fisheries. • Science-based management measures include stock assessments, habitat protection, and a minimum purchasing size limit of 100g (≈117mm) to protect juvenile crabs. • Supports thousands of small-scale fishers in Jaffna and Mannar using traditional boats and bottom-set gillnets. • Boosts employment in coastal communities, particularly for thousands of women in labor-intensive crab processing facilities. • Market & Economic Value: • Connects Sri Lanka's seafood & fisheries exports directly to high-value markets across North America and Europe. • Enables Sri Lankan exporters (including Taprobane Seafoods and CM Blue Crab) to leverage the MSC ecolabel to meet demand from major global retailers, enhancing competitiveness in international markets.
📊 ILO Report: Enterprise Benefits Grow from Gender Equality, But Implementation Lags
A new International Labour Organisation (ILO) report based on a global survey of 11,957 enterprises across 99 countries highlights significant progress in women’s corporate leadership, alongside a gap in implementation. • Overall Leadership Figures (2013 vs 2025): • Woman Board Chairs: Increased from 13.1% to 30.9%. • Woman CEOs: Increased from 23.4% to 28.2%. • Management Pipeline: Women hold under a third (30%) of global managerial roles, with balance declining at junior and middle management levels. • Business Case & Returns: • 70% of enterprises report improved business outcomes from gender equality and diversity initiatives (up 11.1 percentage points from 2018). • Among companies reporting profit gains from women in management, 87.4% cited profit increases of at least 5%. • Implementation Gap: • 74.8% of enterprises had gender equality policies in 2025. • However, active implementation of diversity initiatives dropped from 37.4% in 2018 to 26.5% in 2025, affecting key support like maternity leave, equal pay, and leadership development across sectors vital for broader economic growth like ICT/BPM and manufacturing. • Education vs. Workplace: • Women lead tertiary education enrollment globally (46.4% women vs 40.3% men in 2023), but structural barriers and care responsibilities continue to restrict career pipelines.
🌡️ ILO Report: Heat Stress Threats to Sri Lanka's Economy and Jobs
Rising workplace heat stress poses a major threat to Sri Lanka’s economic productivity and employment, according to new findings by the International Labour Organization (ILO). • 2023 Impact Overview • Economic Loss: US$ 6.5 Bn lost in output compared to baseline averages. • Employment Impact: Equivalent of over 120,000 full-time jobs (241 million work hours) lost. • Peak Period: 35% of job losses occurred during the intense heat of Q2. • Sector Breakdown of 2023 GDP Losses • Services: US$ 2.7 Bn (41.9% of total loss) • Transport & Trade: US$ 1.25 Bn (19.3%) • Manufacturing: US$ 920 Mn (14.1%) • Agriculture: US$ 750 Mn (11.5%) • Construction: US$ 655 Mn (10%) • Mining & Quarrying: US$ 211 Mn (3.2%) • Sector Breakdown of 2023 Job Losses • Agriculture: 48% (57,230 jobs) — hardest hit with 2.69% of work hours lost. • Services: 22% (26,529 jobs) • Manufacturing: 13% (15,176 jobs) • Construction: 11% (13,154 jobs) • Transport & Trade: 6% (7,529 jobs) • Long-Term Projections (by 2040 & 2060) • Low-Emissions Trajectory (SSP1-2.6): Annual GDP loss of US$ 26.1 Bn (11.8% of GDP) and 145,000 jobs by 2040, rising to US$ 65.6 Bn (13% of GDP) and 158,000 jobs by 2060. • Fossil-Fuel Pathway (SSP5-8.5): Annual GDP loss reaching US$ 87.1 Bn (15.2% of GDP) and nearly 349,000 full-time jobs by 2060. • Mitigation Measures • ILO recommends work-rest cycles, hydration, cooling stations, heat-tolerant crops, improved factory ventilation, real-time heat monitoring, and enhanced social protection for informal workers.
☀️ UK and EU Partner with Colombo Mayor to Launch Joint Solar Initiative
• Key Highlights: Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar joined British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and EU Ambassador-designate Sylvia Hartleif to launch a joint solar energy initiative for sustainable diplomatic operations in Colombo. • Capacity & Output: - Installed Solar Capacity: 240 kWp across High Commission estate - Projected Annual Generation: 365,000 kWh - Carbon Emissions Reduction: ~193 tonnes CO2 annually • Wider Greening Measures: - Energy Savings: Estimated 79,200 kWh/year via efficient cooling, lighting, building systems, and solar water heating - Fleet Electrification: 25% plug-in hybrid vehicle fleet - Water & Waste Management: 10,000L rainwater storage capacity; ~1.13 tonnes/year recycled or composted waste
Nature as Natural Insurance: The Economic Value of Forests, Wetlands & Mangroves 📉
Nature acts as a self-renewing, cost-effective economic shield against natural disasters, while driving key sector livelihoods in Sri Lanka. • Coastal & Inland Protection • Mangroves reduce wave height, preventing erosion and billions in global property damage, offering a self-repairing alternative to costly sea walls. • Inland wetlands and marshes serve as sponges to soften flood peaks, vital for cities like Colombo. • Forests and vegetation hold soil on hill slopes, minimizing landslides and siltation in rivers during monsoons. • Sector & Livelihood Impact • Fisheries: Mangroves and seagrass beds serve as critical fish nurseries; destruction directly reduces offshore catches. • Tourism: Ecosystems drive eco-tourism (boat safaris, birdwatching, cloud forest hiking). Loss of natural scenery undermines tourism revenue. • Water & Carbon: Wetlands filter pollutants to cut drinking water treatment costs. Blue carbon ecosystems retain carbon, offering revenue via carbon markets. • Economic Reality & Restoration • A third of global mangroves have been lost to short-term commercial gains, transferring flood and environmental costs to local communities. • Replanting mangroves costs significantly less than engineered defenses while yielding multi-fold economic benefits for coastal communities.
📈 Commercial Bank Expands Sustainability Footprint and Green Financing in Sri Lanka
Commercial Bank of Ceylon has highlighted its latest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts, emphasizing sustainable growth across key sectors including agriculture, SMEs, and renewable energy. • Green Financing & Climate Goals: • Green loan portfolio reached LKR 71.2 Bn, financing utility-scale renewable energy, rooftop solar, low-carbon transport, and agriculture. • Targeted green portfolio expansion to LKR 100 Bn by 2030. • Oversubscribed LKR 15 Bn Tier II Green Bond issued. • Funded projects avoided an estimated 134,128 tCO2e emissions in a single year. • SME & Agri-Sector Support: • Screened 13,335 credit facilities via Environmental & Social Management Systems. • Launched Sri Lanka's first AI-powered SME credit underwriting platform to streamline lending. • Enhanced smallholder farmer productivity in Polonnaruwa, Vavunathivu, and Welimada via the Agri Modernization Village Development Programme. • Social & Financial Inclusion: • Expanded financial literacy and rural reach for women entrepreneurs via the ComBank Shakthi network. • Achieved 100% return-to-work rate for female staff post-maternity leave under UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. • Environmental Conservation & Internal Operations: • Achieved carbon neutrality since 2020; 85+ branches operate on rooftop solar (>18% renewable energy share). • Recycled over 190,000 kg of paper waste in one year. • Planted 100,000 trees via "Trees for Tomorrow", restored 12,500 mangroves in Koggala Lagoon, and facilitated the release of 85,000+ turtle hatchlings in Panama, Ampara.
Hayleys Plantations Advances Climate Action, Biodiversity & Community Wellbeing 📈
• Key Highlights & Leadership: Hayleys Plantations Group—comprising Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE), and Horana Plantations PLC (HPL)—is driving ESG integration, biodiversity restoration, and social development across Sri Lanka's tea and plantation sector. • Company Breakdown & Milestones: • Kelani Valley Plantations (KVPL): Operates 25 estates (>13,000 ha). First global tea estate to achieve regenagri® certification at Halgolla; committed to SBTi FLAG targets; supports 55+ leopards via wildlife corridors; serves 7,000+ employees and 58,000+ community members through A Home for Every Plantation Worker. • Talawakelle Tea Estates (TTE): First global plantation company with validated SBTi targets (Net-Zero by 2050). Sourced 88.25% energy from renewables in FY2025/26 with zero waste to landfill for 2 consecutive years; allocated Rs. 120.8 Mn in community investments; Kiruwanaganga Tea Factory features 220 kWp rooftop solar targeting 150% renewable power generation. • Horana Plantations (HPL): Registered TSHADE Carbon Project under Verra (ID 5571) for carbon credits; maintains 245.25 ha under conservation; established UNDP watershed PES MoU and CIRCULAR waste project; upgraded medical facilities treating ~100 daily outpatients. • National & Economic Context: Demonstrates sector resilience and diversification by linking sustainable agriculture with international carbon markets, renewable energy generation, circular economy projects, and enhanced community welfare for thousands of estate workers.
Is Sri Lanka Ready for a Climate-Resilient Future? 📈
• Disaster Impact (Cyclone Ditwah) - Human Cost: Over 640 lives lost and 2.3 Bn+ (2.3M) people affected (~10% of population). - Physical Extent: Inundated ~20% of total land area and triggered ~1,200 landslides. - Infrastructure Failure: Existing roads, water tanks, and housing standards remain designed for outdated weather patterns. • Financial Strain & Economic Risk - Rebuilding Costs: Estimated up to US$ 7.00 Bn, backed by US$ 1.60 Bn in extra government spending for 2026. - Credit Risk: Moody's highlights Sri Lanka as the most climate-credit-exposed economy in South & Southeast Asia, adding pressure post-2022 crisis and IMF’s US$ 2.90 Bn bailout. • Critical Readiness Gaps - Poor enforcement of planning rules and lack of climate-resilient housing codes in high-risk zones. - Over-reliance on community response rather than institutionalized last-mile warning systems. • Strategic Action Priorities - Rebuilding resilient infrastructure capable of handling heavier rainfall. - Leveraging nature-based solutions (wetlands, mangroves, forested catchments) alongside clean energy transition to reduce external price shocks. - Securing transparent climate finance via Green Climate Fund and ADB resilience programs. _Verdict_: Sri Lanka is not yet fully prepared, but integrating adaptation into economic recovery plans provides a critical window to build long-term climate resilience. --- An insightful video overview discussing Sri Lanka's post-cyclone recovery challenges and climate resilience status can be found here: [Sri Lanka Cyclone Devastation Estimated at $7 Billion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfy7SgwgJC8). This video is directly relevant as it explains the financial and structural impact of Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka's economy.
📈 Addressing Food Waste to Boost Economic Efficiency & Food Security
• Overall Impact: The UN Environment Programme estimates global food waste at 1.05 billion tonnes annually (~20% of consumer food). Food loss and waste accounts for 8–10% of global greenhouse emissions. • Sector Breakdown: • Household waste: Accounts for ~60% of total food waste, directly impacting household budgets amid rising prices for rice, vegetables, and protein. • Commercial (restaurants, hotels, retail): Comprises ~40% of waste. Commercial buffets and over-preparation drive high kitchen losses. • Supply Chain Losses: Losses in agriculture and retail stem from poor packaging, high heat, rough handling, and inefficient transport from farm to market. • Key Solutions & Economic Benefits: • Retail & Logistics: Adoption of better crates, shaded stalls, and cold storage reduces supply chain decay. End-of-day discounts allow vendors to recover income. • Hospitality & Services: Tracking kitchen waste, optimizing menu ingredients, and reducing portion sizes significantly cut food costs within months. • Policy & Circular Economy: Policy frameworks supporting cold-chain investments, standardized labeling, organized food donation, and composting/animal feed conversion turn waste into economic value.