Sustainable Development Goals on Energy and Environment: Key Issues in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study is to investigate the key energy and environmental issues that Sri Lanka is to address under sustainable development agenda of the United Nations. Study Design: This study reviewed relevant recent studies and reports published by government and non-governmental sources on the issues in relation to selected sustainable development goals on energy and environment namely Goal 07- access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, Goal 13- combating climate change and its impacts, and Goal 15- protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in Sri Lanka during May to July 2017. Methodology: This paper is qualitative in nature and was conducted as a desk review using available resources online. Results: Issues relating to environment and energy are among the foremost important areas to be addressed for the realization of Sustainable Development Goals in Sri Lakethe. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals relating to energy and environment on the other hand tend to have captured the key energy and environmental in issues that Sri Lanka is to concentrate. Conclusion: Issues that Sri Lanka faces in environment and energy sectors can significantly be remedied when the country makes tangible progress on relevant SDGs. It is also noteworthy however that the strategies for achieving the sustainable development goals require integrated and holistic approach backed by bold policy, legal and institutional framework.