NOTE: Some content may not display correctly, including tables and figures. See PDF for full details.

National Policy on 

 Sustainable Consumption & Production

for Sri Lanka 

1. Policy Name 

  National Policy on Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) for Sri Lanka 

2. Effective Date 

  29 October 2019 

3. Introduction 

Background

Economic development in Sri Lanka in the last few decades has helped the nation to reach middle-income status while eradicating absolute poverty. However, it has also been accompanied by raising income inequalities, social problems and disproportionate increase in consumption of natural resources, and having negative environmental impacts. The latter is aggravated by population growth and rapid urbanization resulting in a decreasing amount of natural resources potentially available per person. 

The present ambitious development drive of Sri Lanka is rapidly encroaching on the traditional Sri Lankan lifestyles in both urban and rural areas. Between 1999 and 2010, Sri Lanka was the country in the region with the fastest expansion of urban area, as measured using night-time lights data, relative to urban population. The rapid expansion of urban area relative to urban population reflects the sprawl and ribbon development that are characteristic of Sri Lanka‟s urban development ⁽¹⁾; people moving into cities in search of better infrastructure facilities, good education for children, employment opportunities, etc. This number is expected to increase with the prevailing peace and stability of the country. 

This urbanisation is spreading along with unsustainable consumption and production patterns, and the aspirations of population growing towards middle-income status will change the consuming and producing behaviour of all citizens. When economy of a developing country like Sri Lanka is rapidly growing, it often expands beyond the available natural resources necessary to sustain the long term economic growth and often the processes are quite wasteful. With the time, the capacity of the natural environment to purify effluents and absorb toxins reaches its threshold limits and then collapses causing significant loss of biodiversity and life-supporting ecosystems.  

Present Sri Lanka environmental policy documents highlighted already that a.o. energy, water and waste among areas need careful attention, and ambitious targets were set. However most of these targets are still not met yet. The management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), mainly using open dumpsites is still a critical environmental concern in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive action plan and infrastructure are not available for disposing MSW, which has created a series of environmental hazards. Air pollution poses a serious problem in urban areas with rapid urbanization and industrialization. Continuous air quality monitoring at different locations show that air pollution is increasing. Ozone, SO2 and fine particles exceed World Health Organization (WHO) standards in major cities. ⁽²⁾ Water pollution severely hampers accessible safe drinking water in Sri Lanka.; about 86 percent of households in Sri Lanka use safe drinking water. Differences exit by safe drinking water with regard to area of residence. Regarding urban and estate sectors, 97.2 

(¹)

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/09/29/urbanization-o...

economic-opportunity 

(²)      http://srilankanscientist.com/colombo-air-too-is-polluted-says-who/

percent of households in urban sector and 50.6 percent of households in estate sector use safe drinking water. ⁽³⁾ Sri Lanka is a negligible contributor to global warming compared to developed countries but it is highly vulnerable to the impacts of global climate change. Climate change would be one of the reasons to lose a large proportion of agricultural lands.

Having realized the negative impacts of unsustainable development, joining hands with the international community, the Government of Sri Lanka has endorsed the global “Agenda 21” and the “Rio+20 Outcomes”, including the “10^th Year Framework of Programmes” on Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) and the leading „2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Rationale

Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) aims at improving economic development and social welfare while protecting the environment and managing natural resources sustainably.  

Promoting Sustainable Production (SP) is an essential ingredient of sustainable development, which depends on achieving long-term economic growth that is consistent with environmental and social needs. Promoting Sustainable Consumption (SC) is equally important to limit negative environmental and social externalities as well as to provide markets for sustainable products and services.  

SCP is needed to improve quality of life, particularly for the underprivileged, and provide the basic needs for all, including access to food, shelter, health, mobility and education services and to de-coupleeconomic growth from environmental degradation to secure development while maintaining the carrying capacity of eco-systems. 

SCP provides the mechanisms to gain more prosperity with less resources, waste and emissions. SCP is relevant because it provides a triple-win prospective: for the people, for profit and for the planet. Practising SCP is a clear business case for industries and the best deal for consumers. SCP focuses on increasing productivity through efficient use of resources and on value for money through savings and quality. SCP supports return on investments in green products and technologies. 

SCP is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty. 

SCP aims at “doing more economically and environmentally friendly manner with less,” increasing net welfare gains from economic activities by reducing resource use, degradation and pollution along the whole lifecycle, while increasing quality of life.  

SCP recognises the importance of addressing production and consumption simultaneously to achieve this goal; without effective demand for green and fair products, production will not deliver environment-friendly practices and products. A key barrier is lack of awareness and empowerment of consumer groups – and this needs to be tackled. SCP can be seen as two sides of the same coin. The two elements complement and mutually reinforce each other: stimulating the demand for sustainable products affects production patterns and the availability of sustainable products will enhance demand. 

(³)

 Household Income and Expenditure Survey – 2006/07, Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka 

It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, and media, among others; requiring a systemic approach and cooperation among all these actors operating in the supply chain, from producer to final consumer. It involves engaging consumers through awareness-raising and education on sustainable consumption and lifestyles, providing consumers with adequate information through standards and labels and engaging in sustainable public procurement, among others. 

Need 

An overarching national policy in Sri Lanka on Sustainable Consumption and Production, which is coherent and integrated with related sectoral policies, is the need of the hour for achieving the desired goal of economic and sustainable development.  

Purpose & Context  

The Policy is developed through an interactive process involving all the key ministries and relevant societal stakeholders. Its mission focus on addressing the critical issues that, if left unattended, would frustrate our economic development programmes. Clean air and clean and adequate supplies of water must be available to all. The country‟s priceless natural heritage of fauna and flora must not be allowed to get degraded. The cities have to be clean and provide a healthy environment for all the city dwellers. The industries must learn and put into practice measures for preventing environmental pollution. The island‟s limited land and fresh water resources should be used optimally. Actions to address these key areas are embodied in policy statements and goals set out under the thrust themes of the Policy. 

This policy will provide an effective framework and the necessary impetus to enhance the sustainability of the country‟s economic development drives through efficient and effective utilization of it natural resources. 

The policy will offer numerous opportunities such as reduction of production costs, creation of new, and resource efficient products, new markets and jobs, pollution prevention which reduces costs for “clean-up later” activities, sustainable living and foremost the opportunity to leapfrog to modern, low carbon, resource efficient and environmentally sustainable technologies. This will enhance the competitiveness of Sri Lanka in the world market, while also preserving its value as a custodian of unique biodiversity wealth. 

This policy also provides necessary direction and guidance for upgrading other related national sectoral policies in Sri Lanka in the context of SCP while bringing SCP elements of all related existing sectoral policies hither to being either isolated or polarized into a single document under a common format. 

4. Policy Principles, Policy Statements & Policy Goals 

4.1 The Overarching Policy Framework 

While socio-economic development is of utmost importance, it is equally necessary to protect the natural resources, safeguard the environment and are prudent in the use of the assets that nature has bestowed upon the land. This requires emphasis on sustainable development by the judicious use of resources today, which will protect and even enhance them for the future.  

Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) will be consistent with existing policies but at the same time elevate SCP from a niche to a mainstream paradigm. This SCP Policy is complementary to national policies and development plans and international agreements.  

4.1.1 SCP Policy Principle 

Minimising the natural resources and toxic materials used, and the waste and pollutants generated, throughout the entire production and consumption process in all economic sectors.

4.1.2 SCP Policy Statements 

1. Improve the quality of life minimizing the environmental degradation and without compromising the resource needs of future generations. 
2. Decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by: 

 Reduce material/energy intensity of current economic activities and reducing emissions and waste from extraction, production, consumption and disposal. 

 Promote a shift of consumption patterns towards groups of goods and services with lower energy and material intensity without compromising quality of life. 

1. Apply life-cycle thinking, which considers the impacts from all life-cycle stages of the production and consumption process. 
2. Guard against the re-bound effect, where efficiency gains are cancelled out by resulting increases in consumption  

4.1.2 SCP Overarching Policy Goals 

• By 2030, sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources achieved 
• By 2030, per capita global food waste reduced to half at the retail and consumer levels and food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses reduced 
• By 2020, the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle achieved, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and their release to air, water and soil significantly reduced in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment 
• By 2030, waste generation substantially reduced through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse 
• Companies, especially large and transnational companies, encouraged to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle 
• Public procurement practices promoted that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities 
• By 2030, ensured that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature 
• Scientific and technological capacity strengthened to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production 
• Tools developed and implemented to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products 
• Inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption rationalized by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities 

4.2 SCP for Thrust Themes 

After the review of 46 national sectoral policies (List is annexed) that have relevance to SCP policy, the Haritha Lanka action plan, international treaties signed by Sri Lanka that have relevance to SCP and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ten (10) thrust themes as given below - are selected by combining related sectors coming under 17 SDGs.  

These ten (10) thrust themes (key environmental issues, priority economic sectors) and three (3) cross-cutting enabling policies are identified, based on present status, as focus areas for the SCP policy for the short and medium-term, without limiting that SCP needs to be integrated and mainstreamed in every existing policy and relevant for every economic sector and therefore update of thrust themes is scheduled every five years.  

Indicative policy principles, statements and goals have been defined for each thrust – see Annex 2 - that will have to be further specified via detailed SCP Action Plans, to be developed by the delegated leading Ministry in close co-operation with relevant supportive Ministries and stakeholders. The Action Plans need to be ready latest one (1) year after this Policy is approved and going into action. 

It will be of importance to recognise interlinkage of different SDGs thereby coordinate development of Action Plans of each thrust theme with the plans for implementation of other SDGs. 

5. Applicability & Scope 

This National Policy on SCP, being an overarching and a cross cutting policy, applies to all sectors where either consumption or production of a good or service is involved in any form. It does not exclude any segment or strata of the society or any organization. When this policy is translated into actions (which need to be governed by a smartly designed mix of (i) regulatory instruments and standards, (ii) economic instruments, (iii) information-based instruments and (iv) voluntary agreements), adequate precautionary measures shall be taken to ensure inclusiveness as the ultimate objective of SCP is to ensure uncompromised human development and well-being without compromising the rights of future generations.   

6. Policy Implementation 

6.1 Governance 

Successful implementation of this crosscutting National SCP policy, with required involvement of many different Ministries and agencies, depends largely on the degree of intra and inter-ministerial and their line agency cooperation, sharing of responsibilities and pooling of resources. The political commitment and actual involvement is paramount for the successful implementation of this policy. It ensures a swift commencement and an effective implementation towards achieving the desired outcomes. This also influences positively the administrative authority to achieve the targets efficiently so that it favours the trickledown effect both vertically and horizontally. 

Therefore, a governance structure will be deployed to supervise and coordinate the implementation and monitoring structure for this National Policy on Sustainable Consumption and Production: 

• The overarching political oversight will be done via the National Council for Sustainable Development. This Council is mandated with the responsibility for producing an integrated policy, and overseeing and guiding the implementation of all SDGs to ensure the sustainability of social and economic development programmes, including Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG12) and thereby securing the interlinkage between SDG12 and other SDGs. All relevant Ministers in charge of major economic development programmes are presented in this Council, including the Ministry in charge of Environment reporting on the plans and progress of SDG12.

• The Ministry in charge of Environment will guide the actual implementation and monitoring of the SDG12 strategies and measures, and secure utilisation of already existing coordinating structures such as NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) and NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) focusing on climate change issues. A National Committee on SCP will be established, chaired by the Minister or the Secretary to the Ministry in charge of Environment and consisting of representatives or the Focal Points of relevant ministries and agencies of sectors identified with regards to SCP. The respective Heads of Ministries and Agencies will be encouraged to nominate most suitable persons in terms of relevance to the Committee. This Committee is envisioned to meet once in three months to guide the implementation, secure synergies between thrust themes and avoid conflicts, monitor the performance and review the progress of activities coming under respective agencies. Terms of reference to the Committee, including required members, administrative procedures and supportive measures, will be prepared as soon as this Policy is approved. 

• The SCP Committee will be supported via 2 mechanisms:  

• The Ministry in charge of Environment will designate an internal SCP Cell to administratively handle all operations of the Committee, including communications, reporting, awareness raising and capacity building. This Ministry will secure adequate resources in terms of staff and finances needed for conducting studies and meetings whenever required. It is the responsibility of the SCP Cell to coordinate all SCP activities including convening of the Committee meetings on Secretary‟s behalf.

• An SCP Inter-Agency Expert Working Group (IAEWG) will be established, consisting of representatives of relevant governmental agencies and non-governmental institutes (private sector, academia, research institutes and consumer organisations), to technically support on request basis the Committee, via specific thematic subworking groups. The IAEWG will meet twice per year – before the Committee will meet – and scheduling of thematic sub-working groups will be done on needs-basis. The operational costs for this working group will be initially covered by the Ministry in charge of Environment, but gradually shared via a Public-Private-Partnership between all relevant stakeholders to secure sufficient ownership. 

6.2  Planning 

SCP with its intrinsic cross sectorial characteristics and long-term vision require a strong goal-based planning, thereby supporting long-term approaches towards sustainable development, allowing public and private actors to identify what is needed and chart out longterm pathways to achievement. 

The long-term perspective also helps to insulate the planning process from short-term political and business imperatives. Planning for sustainable development outcomes also requires much greater policy coherence, integrated planning and reflexive governance than the norm in mainstream policy and program implementation. Every objective and strategy needs to be understood and reviewed with regards to economic, social, and environmental implications. It will be crucial to secure: 

• Policy coherence: balancing social, economic and environmental considerations and managing potential conflicts and trade-offs to ensure that progress in achieving one target does not result in setbacks for other targets; 
• Multi-sectoral planning: Multi-sectoral plans address multi - dimensional and crosscutting issues in the SCP agenda, such as poverty and climate change, which require coordinated action across a number of different sectors to be achieved; and 
• Reflexive and responsive policy-making: Policy-making based on (i) a continuous tracking of outcomes, (ii) on-the-job learning and adjustment, (iii) innovation based on the latest technologies, and (iv) a balance of short-term priorities with long-term development objectives, against a backdrop of changing circumstances.  

The overarching statements and goals set under section 4 will be detailed via Action Plans that will be updated yearly, responsive to changes in development conditions; continuous re- evaluation and adaptation of policies and programs based on the regular monitoring and review of progress and outcomes, which will be embedded in a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. 

6.3 Monitoring & Evaluation 

In order to ensure the effective implementation of the national SCP policy, a comprehensive SCP monitoring system with an indicator framework will be established based on the existing indicator sets and SCP directional targets prepared. This will be led and guided by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and Department of National Planning (NPD). The DCS collects, compiles and disseminates relevant, reliable and up-to-date statistical information required for planning, implementation and monitoring progress of development and other socio-economic activities in the country and thereby is entrusted with the duty of conducting all national censuses and surveys, and generate official statistics using administrative records. Through the tracking of progress on established priorities and targets, indicator based monitoring and reporting is considered to be one of the most effective forms of evaluating the success of the SCP progress. Indicators of SCP are inextricably linked to broader sets of indicators on the environment and sustainable development, including poverty reduction. The indicators will provide guidance to the different Ministries on the development of indicators that measure progress towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. The monitoring of an SCP programme is an on-going process and will evolve as better methodologies and data become available.  

7. Glossary 

The purpose of this glossary is to assist the users of this Policy document to have a fair understanding of some terminologies in the context of which this policy is developed. It is important to note that the interpretation of such terminologies in different contexts and situations could be different. 

Part A: 

Policy Goals: Following on from the Underpinning Policy Principles, a policy has "goals". 

These goals describe the range of desired outcomes or what is to be achieved by implementing the policy. A policy goal is a broad statement of intent providing guidance for action.  

Policy Objectives: Goals and Objectives are not the same. “Measurability” is always considered to be an important principle in setting objectives. Objectives are usually linked to one or more “operational units” and are typically “short term”. It is perfectly possible to write a policy that does not have measurable objectives and it will serve the country‟s need. Goals are sufficient enough to ensure the policy longevity. Policy Objectives is the written guidance contained within the policy that helps the reader understand what they have to do in order to adhere to the policy. This written guidance needs to be very well worded, unambiguous and clear.

Policy Principles: The policy principles are the reasons why a policy exists. A policy exists for a purpose and this is expressed in the form of underpinning principles. Policy principles outlines why the government is issuing the policy, and what its desired effect or outcome of the policy should be. Policy Principles are equivalent to the vision statements in corporate or strategic plans.

Policy Statements: Policy statements are the key statements of the Government‟s position. Through the policy statements, the intent of the policy is stated in the form of simple and concise statements. Therefore, the policy statements are used to designate a straightforward statement or declaration on a particular topic or topics. Policy statements have longevity without being subjected to continual amendment. At the same time, they are general enough to allow for flexibility and accommodation to unanticipated circumstances in the future. In general, policy statements govern or guide the actions that will be taken. Policy statements state what is to be done, and not how it will be done. Policy Principles and Policy Statements have very clear distinction. Policy Principles are the” Basis or Believes" of the action or thinking even if there is no strong scientific proof or data. Upon "believing" in these policy principles, then the Policy Makers ”state" what they commit themselves to pursue”. Therefore, Policy Statements become "clear messages announced to the audience saying that this is what we want”.

Part B: 

Cleaner Production: The continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy to processes, goods, and services to increase overall efficiency, and reduce risks to humans and the environment. Cleaner Production can be applied to the processes used in any industry, to goods themselves, and to various services provided in society. 

Decoupling: Decoupling refers to the relationship between (1) economic variables, such as Gross Domestic Product or the Human Development Index and (2) environmental variables, such as resource use and environmental indicators. There is a distinction between decoupling economic growth from resource use and from environmental impact. Resource decoupling means reducing the rate of resource use per unit of economic activity. This „dematerialization‟ is based on using less material, energy, water and land resources for the same economic output. Resource decoupling leads to an increase in the efficiency with which resources are used, indicated when economic output (GDP) is increasing relative to resource input. 

Eco-efficiency: Eco-efficiency is achieved by the delivery of competitively-priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life-cycle to a level at least in line with the earths estimated carrying capacity. 

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool to evaluate the environmental and social performance of products or services along their life cycle. Under the Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA), extraction and consumption of resources (including energy), as well as releases to air, water and soil, are quantified through all stages of the life cycle. Their potential contribution to important environmental impact categories is then assessed. These include climate change, toxicity, ecosystem damage and resource base deterioration. 

Life Cycle Thinking: Life cycle thinking expands the traditional focus on the production site and manufacturing processes and incorporates various aspects over a product‟s entire life cycle from cradle to cradle (i.e. from the extraction of resources, through the manufacture and use of the product, to the final processing of the disposed product).  

Polluter Pays Principle (PPP): The Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) is an environmental policy principle, which requires that the costs of pollution be borne by those who cause it. In its original form the Polluter Pays Principle aims at determining how the costs of pollution prevention and control must be allocated: the polluter must pay. Its immediate goal is that of internalizing the environmental externalities of economic activities, so that the prices of goods and services fully reflect the costs of production. Today this Principle is a generally recognized principle of international environmental law. 

Sustainable Consumption & Production: Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is “the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardise the needs of future generations.”

Sustainable Procurement: Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organizations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organization, but also to society and the economy, whilst minimizing damage to the environment. Sustainable Procurement seeks to achieve the appropriate balance between the three pillars of sustainable development i.e. economic, social and environmental. Economic factors include the costs of goods and services over their entire life cycle, such as: acquisition, maintenance, operations and end-of-life management costs (including waste disposal) in line with good financial management; Social factors include social justice and equity; safety and security; human rights and employment conditions; Environmental factors include emissions to air, land and water, climate change, biodiversity, natural resource use and water scarcity over the whole product life cycle. 

________ 

Annex 1: Overview of all SDG’s with reference to cross-cutting nature of SCP 

In 2014, a set of Sustainable Development Goals was defined. These SDGs succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as reference goals for the international community for the period 2015-2030. The development of the new set of goals was widely seen as an ambitious challenge, as these goals cover a much broader range of issues than their predecessors, aim to be universal – that is, applicable to all countries and not only developing countries, and have to serve as guideposts for a difficult transition to sustainable development, which has eluded the international community since the Earth Summit in 1992. 

The presence in the set of SDGs of targets that refer to multiple goals and sectors may facilitate integration and policy coherence across sectors, in particular at the level of international development agencies. Such links among goals through targets may also facilitate real mainstreaming of dimensions that previously suffered from not having strong sectoral anchoring in development institutions, such as sustainable consumption and production.  

The matrix below shows the connections between SCP – explicitly addressed under SDG12 - and other goals. For example, the links between SCP and SDG 6 on water are provided by two targets under the water goal: target 6.3, “by 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse by x% globally”, and target 6.4, “by 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity, and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity”. And SCP is linked with SDG 8 on growth and employment through target 8.4, “improve progressively through 2030 global resource efficiency in consumption and production, and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation in accordance with the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production with developed countries taking the lead”. This means that SCP-related concerns are factored in targets belonging to other goals.

Annex 2: List of Related Policies 

1. Clean air 2000 strategy and action plan (1992) 
2. National Drinking Water Policy 
3. National policy on protection and conservation of water sources, their catchments and reservations in Sri Lanka (2014) 
4. National Water Resources Policy& Institutional Arrangements (2000) 
5. National Policy for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Sector 
6. National Rain Water Harvesting Policy (2005) 
7. National Nutrition Policy of Sri Lanka (2010) 
8. National agricultural policy  
9. National policy and strategy on cleaner production for agriculture sector 
10. National Biosafety Policy (2005) 
11. National policy framework for National Bio-technology Policy 
12. National Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Policy (2006) 
13. Mid-term policy framework for fisheries sector development (2012) 
14. National Policy & strategy on Cleaner Production for Fisheries Sector 
15. National Health Promotion Policy (Draft) 
16. National Policy on Health Information Sri Lanka (Draft) 
17. National Policy and Strategy on Cleaner Production for Health Sector (2007) 
18. National Housing Policy (Draft) 
19. National Education Policy Proposals 
20. National Energy Policy & Strategies for Sri Lanka (Draft) 
21. The National Energy Policy and Strategies of Sri Lanka (2008) 
22. National Land Use Policy 
23. National watershed management policy 
24. National Policy on Wetlands 
25. National Forestry Policy 
26. The National Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Policy of Sri Lanka 
27. National Policy on Wild Life 
28. National Policy on Transport in Sri Lanka 
29. National Physical Planning Policy and Plan 
30. National Physical Planning Policy and Plan – 2030 
31. National Science & Technology Policy 
32. Policy & Procedures for ICT Usage in Government (E-Government Policy) 
33. National Youth Policy Sri Lanka 
34. Small and Medium Enterprise Policy (Draft) 
35. National policy framework for Decent work 
36. Siting of high polluting industries 
37. National Occupational Safety & Health Policy (2014) 
38. National Strategy for Solid Waste management 
39. National Plantation Industry Policy Framework 
40. National Policy and Strategy on Cleaner production for Tourism Sector 
41. Media policy 
42. National civil aviation policy (2009) 
43. National Policy for Disaster Management (2013) 
44. The National Climate Change Policy of Sri Lanka (2012) 
45. National climate change adaptation strategy for Sri Lanka 
46. National Policy Review on Sand as a resource for the Construction 

Annex 3: Principles, statements & goals per thrust 

1.1.1 Policy Principle 

    Clean air for a healthy nation 

                 1.1.2           Policy Statements 

1. Introduce emission reduction and pollution control measures for all economic activities, e.g. building and construction, transport, industry, energy generation, land use, agriculture, livestock, waste and households (indoor air pollution). 
2. Introduce a system for the surveillance of ambient air quality. 
3. Create public awareness on environmental impacts of air pollution (including health implications) and best practices of preventing (avoidance use of specific materials, change consumption behaviour).

                 1.1.3           Policy Goals  

1. Air quality standards with related health indicators adopted. 
2. A system for the surveillance of ambient air quality established in all major cities of the country by 2022. 
3. Land use planning carried out to ensure clean air.  
4. Stringent air quality standards for in and outdoor, fugitive and source emission with better regulatory regime introduced. 
5. Stringent standards for vehicle emissions introduced and testing and monitoring infrastructure upgraded. 
6. Regulatory mechanism introduced to construction industry to mitigate air pollution. 
7. Environmentally and culturally sensitive areas declared as restricted zones for polluting vehicles. 
8. Right to information (RTI) established in relation to availability of air quality related data for interested parties. 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Environment  

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of transport, civil aviation, industries, power & energy, health, provincial councils and local authorities, urban development, disaster management, science & technology, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies.

2.1 Policy Principle 

Water and health conscious nation 

2.2 Policy Statements 

1. Establish a regime for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) for equitable water allocation for all and strengthen implementation 
2. Integrate conservation, re-use and recycling practices at all levels of water use 

(⁴)

 Interlinkage with plans regarding SDG 13 (climate change), and relevant for all economic sectors 

(⁵)

 Interlinkage with plans regarding SDG 6 (water) and 14 (marine), and relevant for all economic sectors 

1. Promote and strengthen water safety and security plans 
2. Promote continuous monitoring of water quality in the major rivers 
3. Promote water saving technologies and energy efficient water applications 
4. Promote rain water harvesting and recharge of aquifers 
5. Strengthen surveillance and monitoring of bottled water processing, distribution and consumption 
6. Encourage behavioural and life style changes for better health and sustainable utilization of water for environmental needs  
7. Encourage safely managed sanitation 
8. Mainstream climate and disaster resilience into the management of water and sanitation 

2.3 Policy Goals  

1. Water demand management ensured including the reduction of per-capita water use
2. Care and maintenance of school water supply and sanitation improved by 2022 
3. Energy efficiency measures introduced in water treatment and distribution activities 
4. Polluter Pays Principle for water polluting industries/activities strictly enforced 
5. Pipe born water ensured for 55% of the population and safely managed drinking water for all by 2030 
6. Complied with the existing policy on Non-Revenue-Water (NRW), goals for the reduction of Non-Revenue-Water (NRW) developed by 2018 and reduce NRW at least to 20% by 2030 
7. All degraded watersheds that yield water for drinking water projects restored by 2025 
8. Implementation of the National Rain Water Policy and regulations ensured 
9. An effective campaign launched to educate and discipline people on the best practices and importance of water conservation and protection. 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Water Management in close cooperation with the 

Ministries in charge of Irrigation and Water Resource Management 

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of water resources, irrigation, power & energy, industries, agriculture, environment, health, provincial councils and local authorities, urban development, disaster management, science & technology, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies.

3.1 Policy Principle 

Energy conscious, secure and energy non-dependent nation  

3.2 Policy Statements 

1. Make energy accessible and affordable to all 
2. Rationalize the energy generation mix   
3. Maximize use of indigenous energy resources and encourage self-generation of energy 
4. Optimize the utilisation of renewable energy sources 
5. Promote SMART grids
6. Enhance efficient energy use in the society, a.o. the energy intensive transport, industries and building and construction sectors 

(⁶)

 Interlinkage with plans for SDG 7 (energy) and 13 (climate change), and relevant for all economic sectors 

1. Enhance the quality of energy supply and services 
2. Mainstream climate and disaster resilience into the development of energy sector 

3.3 Policy Goals  

1. New National Energy Policy incorporating SCP concepts established by 2019  
2. An action plan for energy self-sufficiency developed by 2020 
3. Emission targets in the energy sector achieved by 2030 for revalidated “Nationally Determined Contributions “(NDCs)  

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Power and Energy  

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of industries, transport, provincial councils and local authorities, urban development, disaster management, science & technology, agriculture, water, environment, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies

4.1 Policy Principle 

Conscious nation on waste management, based on hierarchy principles following the 

SCP-philosophy 

4.2 Policy Statements 

1. Apply Polluter Pay Principle (PPP) for all waste streams 
2. Establish SCP best practices for waste management in all sectors, especially industries, agriculture, tourism and households.   
3. Strengthen the institutional mechanism for solid waste management in Local Authorities 
4. Develop activities & responsibilities for the resource recovery from waste and innovative marketing of recovered resources 
5. Streamline, enhance and upgrade Environmental Protection License (EPL) and waste management licensing scheme for prescribed industries 
6. Introduce the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for products, a.o. 

related to priority waste streams such as packaging and electronics. 

4.3 Policy Goals  

1. An inclusive and integrated monitoring system established for all waste streams 
2. A national waste management database, detailed to local authority level established 
3. Waste resource exchange program, including waste-to-energy, established 
4. Where necessary, sanitary landfills with recovery & recycling facilities established, and rules and regulations for open burning strengthened and enforced.  
5. Waste Management Plan for every local authority – with regard to household waste streams - established under the principles of waste management hierarchy 
6. Necessary rules and regulations introduced to implement Polluter Pay Principle and environmentally sound treatment and disposal of sector specific waste streams, such as industrial waste (both hazardous and non-hazardous waste), building and construction, agriculture and agro-food processing, tourism and medical waste streams 

⁽7⁾  Interlinkage with plans for SDG 2 (food), 9 (industry) and 11 (cities), and relevant for all economic sectors 

1. Financial mechanisms established for waste management. 
2. A system to provide appropriate technology assistance to local authorities established and skilled work force developed for waste management for all local authorities 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Environment 

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of provincial councils and local authorities, industries, agriculture, power & energy, health, urban development, disaster management, science & technology, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies. 

5.1 Policy Principle 

Green(er) industry for sound economic & social development  

5.2 Policy Statements 

1. Incorporate Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) in all industries 
2. Facilitate to transform existing industries into more resource efficient and environmentally benign industries 
3. Promote new industrial enterprises producing sustainable products & services in a resource efficient manner leading to near zero pollution over the life cycle  
4. Share knowledge, best practices and techniques to improve the delivery of resource efficient cleaner production (RECP) services  
5. Encourage sourcing, transferring and local adaptation of environmentally sound technologies and promote state of the art technologies for high polluting and resource intensive industries to become more sustainable  
6. Ensure the establishment of Eco-industrial parks incorporating principles such as closing the material loop and industrial symbiosis 
7. Make access to green finance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) investing in environmentally friendly products and services 
8. Introduce fiscal and tax incentives to promote green industrial activities and import demonstrated best available technologies
9. Enhance application of green reporting towards all industries 
10. Mainstream climate and disaster resilience into the development of industrial sector 

5.3 Policy Goals  

1. Resource Efficient Cleaner Production (RECP) made compulsory by 2025 for environmentally sensitive or polluting industrial sectors  
2. Industrial infrastructure upgraded and industries retrofitted by 2030 to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes 
3. All industrial estates transformed into eco industrial parks by 2030 
4. Green finance schemes and environment incentives established for the industry 
5. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) incorporated into product pricing 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Industry 

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of environment, disaster management, science & technology, education, water supply, energy, health, 

(⁸)

 Interlinkage with SDG 9 (industry), and apply all 3 cross-cutting enabling policies (Science & Technology, Education and Communication and Green Public Procurement). 

higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies. 

6.1 Policy Principle 

Sustainably produced food resulting in affordable, accessible and safe food for all 

6.2 Policy Statements 

1. Ensure adequate nutritional status of all segments of society 
2. Ensure quality and safety of imported food not readily available in the country 
3. Gain significant income through export of quality & safe excess food production 
4. Increase efficient use of land, water, fertilizer, pesticides, energy and human resources in food production to secure sustainable and safe systems 
5. Minimize the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizer and protect and promote traditional and organic agricultural and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) 
6. Strengthen value supply chains to reduce pre- and post-harvest losses and aim to zero-waste in food systems 
7. Make mutual recognition agreements of Eco-labelling schemes (regarding food & related packaging) with other countries, facilitating trade and growth of new markets 

6.3 Policy Goals  

1. Adequate nutritional status of all segments of society ensured through the affordability, accessibility and availability of nutritious food  
2. Use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizer minimized through the promotion of Integrated plant nutrients and pest management with new technologies and use of bio-organic resources  
3. Food losses reduced in the supply chain (pre/post-harvest) by 10% by 2022 and another 20% by 2030  
4. Food waste reduced by 10% by 2022 and another 20% by 2030 
5. Eco-labelling policies and legislative framework developed before 2020 and implemented by 2025   

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Agriculture together with Ministry in charge of Plantation.  

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of food processing, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, water resources, irrigation, power & energy, industries, environment, health, plantations, defence, tourism, disaster management, science & technology, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies. 

7.1 Policy Principle 

Environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable, economically viable and culturally acceptable disaster resilient, liveable cities, villages and shelters.

⁽⁹⁾        Interlinkage with SDG 2 (food) and apply all 3 cross-cutting enabling policies (Science & Technology, Education and Communication and Green Public Procurement). 

⁽¹⁰⁾    Interlinkage with SDG 11 (cities), and apply all 3 cross-cutting enabling policies (Science & Technology, Education and Communication and Green Public Procurement). 

7.2 Policy Statements 

1. Enhance sustainability in the building sector, including its supply chains (building materials supply upstream, utilisation of building appliances during the use of the buildings and rational demolition end-of-life)  
2. Guide and facilitate the construction sector to use and re-use sustainably produced materials and innovative resource efficient designs and construction techniques 
3. Promote passive architecture to minimize waste generation, promote resource  efficiency and enhance healthy living during the utilisation of the building 
4. Promote energy & water efficient appliances to minimize environmental footprint for healthy living 
5. Develop guidelines for the design and development of national legislation that support advancing Sustainable Building Construction (SBC) and enforcement of best practices 
6. Review, strengthen and empower existing legal instruments, such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)  
7. Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities  
8. Promote disaster and climate resilient buildings and constructions 

7.3 Policy Goals  

1. Building Management System (BMS) introduced in large buildings  
2. Local Authority regulations amended to ensure that all state sector buildings constructed in the future comply with Green Building Certification 
3. Specific energy and water consumption reduced in state owned or controlled buildings by 10% by 2022, 15% by 2025 and 20% by 2030
4. Benchmarks set for energy performance for different categories of buildings 
5. Renewable energy supply systems enforced for all new state sector buildings 
6. Western province to have a model SMART CITY by 2025 
7. Habitable built environment for all established by 2030 
8. Human capital developed for effective implementation of sustainable building construction  

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Housing and Construction 

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of industries, provincial councils and local authorities, urban development, disaster management, power & energy, health, highways, science & technology, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies 

8.1 Policy Principle 

Time, energy, resource efficient, safe and effective transport system for all with minimum health impacts for the society  

8.2 Policy Statements 

1. Use „Minimalized approach‟ of mobility for increased accessibility and “Avoid, Shift & Improve” based transport planning  

(11)

 Interlinkage with SDG 7 (energy), 11 (cities) and 13 (climate change), and apply all 3 cross-cutting enabling policies (Science & Technology, Education and Communication and Green Public Procurement). 

1. Optimize the use of existing transport systems 
2. Promote reliable, affordable & comfortable public transport systems 
3. Promote model shift from Private to Public Transport where appropriate 
4. Provide the „choice of mode selection‟ to users 
5. Promote Intermodal Transport systems with the integration of Public Transport and develop appropriate mass rapid transit systems in urban areas commensurate with passenger demand 
6. Introduce regulatory instruments to promote sustainable public transport systems 
7. Introduce quality standards for public transport  
8. Promote integrating and optimizing land use with public transport network and infrastructure development 
9. Develop freight transportation systems by integrating most appropriate nodes to have an efficient supply chain system 

8.3 Policy Goals  

1. Energy efficiency promoted in transport modes 
2. Modal share of Public Transport increased 
3. Modern passenger transport (MRT, LRT, Monorail, BRT, ITS) systems introduced and/or improved in urban and rural areas 
4. Railway electrification introduced 
5. Inland water transportation introduced in appropriate corridors 
6. Commuter time reduced 
7. Dedicated cycle lanes and walking paths introduced in city road network 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of transport in co-operation with Ministry of Highways 

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries in charge of, power & energy, provincial councils and local authorities, urban development, disaster management, industry, agriculture, science & technology, environment, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies. 

                 9.1              Policy Principle 

Sri Lankan tourism industry to be environmentally, socially, culturally, ethically responsible and economically viable 

                 9.2              Policy Statements 

1. Promote SCP best practices in all tourism related products (entertainments / recreational opportunities / souvenirs, etc.) and services 
2. Introduce SCP elements into the classification criteria of tourism sector services – hotels, restaurants, recreation, shops, tour operators, cultural shows, etc. 
3. Encourage “Resource Intensive Tourism Sector” to set an example for resource efficiency  
4. Provide all-encompassing life time experience in sustainable tourism to all visitors  
5. Use tourism as a tool for conserving natural resources and wildlife and enhancing bio and cultural diversity 
6. Mainstream climate and disaster resilience into the development of tourism sector 

⁽12⁾ Interlinkage with SDG 11 (cities) and 15 (wildlife), and apply all 3 cross-cutting enabling policies (Science & Technology, Education and Communication and Green Public Procurement). 

            9.3                   Policy Goals  

1. Regulatory framework strengthened in order to increase use of SCP best practices in the tourism industry 
2. Consultative mechanisms established in all tourist destinations to facilitate close interaction / collaboration among all stakeholders to add value to sustainable tourism 
3. Classification criteria with SCP elements of tourist hotels and restaurants established by 2022  
4. Destination marketing efforts enhanced to showcase Sri Lanka as an eco-friendly island nation 
5. “Eco-Tourism” encouraged in accordance with international standards 
6. All environmentally & culturally sensitive tourism sites & destinations managed with due emphasis on their carrying capacities. 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Tourism 

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries in charge of culture, internal affairs, environment, health, foreign affairs, industries, transport, agriculture, power & energy, disaster management, environment, education, higher education, mass media & communication, finance, national policies. 

            10.1     Policy Principle 

Healthier nation living in a green environment with sustainable consumption practices  

            10.2     Policy Statements 

1. Ensure sustainable consumption practices at all levels in the health sector   
2. Incorporate sustainable consumption practices & principles into all health policies 
3. Transform all health care institutions into green and healthy work settings  
4. Promote traditional best practices in health care 
5. Strengthen the national health information system 
6. Promote healthy lifestyles  

            10.3     Policy Goals  

1. Understanding, consensus and practice of sustainable consumption patterns strengthened among all stakeholders in healthcare sector by 2022     
2. Healthcare cost efficiency improved by 25% incorporating sustainable consumption into curative, preventative, promotive and rehabilitative health care provision by 2025 
3. Health care institutions transformed into green work settings by 2030    
4. Clearing House mechanism established for health care information 

Leading Ministry:  Ministry in charge of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine  

Supportive Ministries and Agencies: Ministries and agencies in charge of education, higher Education, sanitation, water supply, environment mass media, Provincial Councils & Local Government. 

 (¹³)

 Interlinkage with SDG 3 (health), and apply all 3 cross-cutting enabling policies (Science & Technology, Education and Communication and Green Public Procurement). 

Cross-cutting policies 

In addition to the 10 thrust themes and sectors, three (3) cross-cutting policies have been identified that can be implied for each of these thrusts: 

1. Education & communication 
2. Science & technology 
3. Public procurement  

            A.1      Policy Principle 

Knowledgeable, conscious, inclusive and empowered nation on SCP 

            A.2      Policy Statements 

1. Introduce SCP concepts in to the Sri Lankan education system as a life skill 
2. Create innovative research culture promoting SCP 
3. Develop a national critical mass of human capital to promote SCP in all spheres  
4. Promote awareness of SCP (the concept and its benefits) in the private sector and thereby sensitize all citizens to appreciate SCP as the basis for a good/sustainable lifestyle 
5. Enhance communication to drive behavioural change for shifting towards SCP 
6. Improve media ethics for behavioural change of the society for shifting towards SCP 
7. Ensure right to access information on impacts of products and processes, via a.o. ecolabels  
8. Guide and support consumers‟ choices for sustainable products and services and behavioural changes through information 
9. Drive change in public-private partnership to ensure and foster best practices in consumer choices and behaviour 
10. Hold periodic national multi-stakeholder roundtables on SCP  

A.3 Policy Goals 

1. SCP introduced to the early childhood education, school education, university education, vocational education and professional education systems as a life skill before 2025 
2. SPP promoted in public sector establishments including local authorities 
3. (Social) media programmes promoted for targeted groups of general publics on SCP 
4. E-learning opportunities provided for masses on SCP 
5. Revision of education policies supported in response to priorities identified in national overarching SCP policy and action plans or related strategies 
6. SCP indicators and monitoring frameworks incorporated into national strategies and development plans on education 
7. Right to access information enforced on impacts of products and processes by 2022 
8. Funding support arranged for research and innovation on SCP 
9. Private sector educated on the economic benefits of SCP 

            B.1      Policy Principle 

Science & Technology (and Research and Development) based on Life-Cycle Thinking recognised as precondition for sustainable development 

            B.2      Policy Statements 

1. Create an enabling innovation culture on SCP among all sectors 
2. Develop and promote appropriate resource efficient technologies (eco-innovation / environmentally sound technologies) relevant for different sectors ensuring sustainable consumption & production of goods & services 
3. Ensure S&T achievements on SCP readily accessible to industries and the public 
4. Encourage technology transfer, application of resource efficient technologies for commercialization through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) 
5. Document, publish and promote science based-evidence to foster indigenous knowledge on SCP in all sectors   
6. Develop knowledge base for Life Cycling Thinking and apply Life Cycle Assessments to promote clean and safer products over the value and supply chains 
7. Provide technical guidance for retailers, consumers and producers for behavioural and life style changes ensuring improvements in use efficiency 
8. Ensure quality assurance of green products and services 
9. Provide technical evidence, education and awareness on SCP best practices to motivate consumers to make attitudinal, behavioural and life style changes towards sustainability 
10. Apply ICT for technology banks, awareness, promotion and networking of all sectors 

B.3 Policy Goals 

1. Streamlining of life cycle approach to industries facilitated 
2. SCP principles incorporated into product design processes 
3. Mechanism to share science & technology achievements with industries established 
4. Green label standards introduced to industries, retailers and consumers  
5. Methodologies introduced for resource pricing 
6. Methodologies introduced to value biodiversity and eco-system services 
7. ICT enabled technology banks established and networking introduced 
8. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) established to evaluate progress achieving SCP 
9. National scheme to value and recognize SCP achievements, with progressing levels (bronze-silver-gold) 

C Public Procurement 

            C.1      Policy Principles 

            Sustainable Public Procurement properly understood and applied 

C.2 Policy Statements 

1. Build capacity and empower public sector establishments on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP)  
2. Apply Sustainable Public Procurement Practices (SPP) in all relevant sectors and for each product that have a significant impact 

C.3 Policy Goals 

1. Administrative and legislative framework established for the promotion of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) in relevant sectors before 2021. 
2. Life cycle databases for key product categories with significant environmental impact either created or updated by 2025. 
3. Implementation of SPP ensured at least in 5 major product categories, in relevant sectors that have a significant impact, before 2022, at least 50% of product categories by 2030.