The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, climate change is a factor intensifying over time. The motion by Hon. Hector Appuhamy is timely. I appreciate that he has brought this forward in his third term representing Parliament.

¶ 02 The impacts and damages of climate change intensify with time, affecting everyone—Government and Opposition—humans, animals, biodiversity, and all ecosystems.

¶ 03 We must identify the fundamental causes: global warming due to greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide and methane, with some contribution from carbon‑halogen compounds. CO2 has risen from about 280 ppm to around 420 ppm since the industrial revolution; methane from roughly 1,650 to near 2,000 ppb in recent history.

¶ 04 Global warming translates on the ground into a cycle of climate change, disasters and poverty. Warming—roughly 3 degrees since the industrial era in aggregate discussions, and about 1.5 degrees in recent history—has strongly impacted the hydrological cycle. Increased evaporation—from about 3 mm/day to around 6 mm/day—has disrupted interlinked environmental systems, and we now face major challenges, especially in the energy sector. We target about 40% of generation from hydropower, but reduced inflows cut hydropower output, forcing us to rely on hydrocarbons. Coal emits about 820 g CO2 per kWh, oil around 740 g, and gas about 420 g, whereas renewables emit under 50 g.

¶ 05 Warming has also weakened agriculture. Traditional seed varieties have been lost; hybrids are climate‑sensitive, reducing yields. Farmers expand cultivated land, causing deforestation and increasing human‑elephant conflict. About 44% of land is now shared use between humans and wildlife. Fisheries and tourism are also under pressure. Under Paris, we aim to increase forest cover to 32%, raise renewables to 70%, advance a green economy and cleaner production, and reach the 2040–2050 net‑zero concept sooner.

¶ 06 From 2026 to 2035 we expect to reduce CO2 emissions by 116 million metric tons. We have declared 30 new reserves, including a unique sanctuary for the endemic bandula fish. We are conserving aquifers and water sources, protecting montane forests, and removing invasive species to improve environmental nutrition. We are finalizing the Climate Prosperity Plan; once cleared by the Attorney‑General’s Department and Cabinet, we intend to establish its office and secure more grants. We received grants of USD 475.5 million in 2025 and USD 376 million in 2024, and we aim to increase this in 2026.

¶ 07 On carbon markets, globally the discussion continues; by 2030, a carbon price near USD 100 per metric ton is anticipated in some scenarios, but this remains political and evolving. Strategy matters: resource‑rich regions like parts of Africa remain poor without sound policy. Likewise, unless we craft the right national policy, we cannot meet our targets through carbon instruments. We are working to secure an advantageous national policy to derive significant benefit.

¶ 08 Regarding a dedicated climate finance bank, banks are financial intermediaries lending where there is capital shortage and earning via interest. To operate a climate‑focused institution effectively, grant funding is essential. For now, we can channel climate finance through the Treasury in an organized manner to obtain needed allocations for environmental protection and climate mitigation.

¶ 09 Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees.