Transitioning Sri Lanka Towards a Climate Resilient Low Carbon Economy

Abstract

There are unmistakable signs to indicate that Sri Lanka is a highly vulnerable country to climate change. Massive losses due to disasters within a relatively short period time has seen Sri Lanka climbing up the ranks to fourth place in the Global Climate Risk Index for 2018 with an annual climate risk index (CRI) of 11.50. Annual losses due to climate-induced disasters have been estimated at USD 1,623 million (PPP) in 2017. The growing understanding of climate change emphasises the necessity of planning for a risky, unruly future that is overshadowed by the persistent threat of climate change, unlike in the past.