Ecosystem based adaptation for sustainable development in Sri Lanka

1. Water, Land, Jobs
Ecosystem based adaptation for
sustainable development
Visit of H.E. President of Sri Lanka
Prabhu, Kindt, Minang, Sinclair, Vagen

2. We know climate change will hit Sri Lanka!
No 2 - Global Climate Vulnerability Index

3. The challenges are well recognised

4. -24%
-24%
-21%
-20%
-21%
-21%
-22%
-25%
-26%
-21%
-23%
-25%
-27%
-26%
-25%
-24%
-28%
-25%
-28%-26%
-20%
-25%
RAINFALL IN JANUARY
2050s vs. current
Likely decrease
Likely increase Percentages are
25% percentiles
from 19 models
Changes to Maha and Yala

5. +23%
+23%
+23%
+22%
+22%
+22%
+23%
+23%
+23%
+23%
+22%
+23%
+23%
+23%
+23%
+23%
+23%
+24%
+24%+23%
+23%
+23%
RAINFALL IN OCTOBER
2050s vs. current
Likely decrease
Likely increase Percentages are
75% percentiles
from 19 models

6. Problem: Reservoir capacity and siltation
 Upland erosion & degradation
Photo: Ada Derana Paranage 2018, Water 10(10), 1402; doi:10.3390/w10101402
blue shows
intermediate
(light) and
wet (dark)
zones
beige,
orange and
red show dry
zone (drier
along colour
gradient)

7. More intense, less
frequent rainfall
events
Higher
temperatures
More frequent and
severe droughts
Accelerated upstream land
degradation and run-off
Change in time of
flowering of key crops
Sedimentation of reservoirs
reducing water available for
downstream irrigation
Compromised livelihoods of farm
and estate worker families, food
insecurity
Increasingly unsustainable land use
not adapted to changing climate
Land users
unable to adapt
to climate
change
Fragmented expertise and remits across
different government entities
Lack of fine scale understanding
of climate change impacts
No connection between land use in upstream
catchments and downstream water use
Locally appropriate information on climate
change, land and water management practices and
germplasm not available to farmers
Insufficient resources available to invest in land
restoration, protection and innovation
Farmers and other producers
often receiving low prices
Non-congruence of administrative and
hydrological boundaries
The Problem Complex
Land users
unable to adapt
to climate change

8. soil
water
agriculture
forests
human health
economy
well-being of different people
Better outcomes for Sri Lanka
Ecosystem Based Sustainable Development
Toomuchfertilizer&
pesticides;floods
EBA, agroforestry,
system integration,
value chains, PES
Mobilise
Sri Lankan
capacity,
Foreign
investment
(including GCF) &
power of
science
Shortageofwater/droughts

9. US$ 50 million joint project for GCF
(& Support to Sri Lanka Readiness)

10. Maps by A. M. S. B. Adhikari, MASL
Intervention
area in the
upstream
catchment
Agriculture sustainable
intensification
Forest and landscape
restoration
++ New products, new services, more investment
 Water + Jobs + Health = Green Development
Moragahakanda & Kaluganga catchments
Benefits downstream

11. Cutting edge Science –
example land health management
 Provides information for decision
makers

12. Next: From GCF project to
Green Economy?

13. Green Investments: Jackfruit example
Stock photo accessed through the internet

14. New markets for this “super food”

15. Example 2: Kitul
Stock photos accessed through the internet

16. Tremendous capacity in
Sri Lanka!
Mobilise & advance it

17. From Highlands to the Sea:
A Green Economy transformation!

18. Thank you!