IUCN - The World Conversation Union

In mid 2007 the IUCN Sri Lanka country programme in developing a more programmatic focus merged the Biodiversity and Species Conservation programme with the Forestry and Protected Areas programme to form the Forestry and Biodiversity Group (FBG). The group is divided into two units, namely, the Forestry unit and the Biodiversity and Species Conservation unit. The former is responsible for all projects relating to the forestry sector, including governance and related human well- being issues, while the biodiversity and species related projects come under the purview of the latter group.

Forestry and Biodiversity Group
Coordinator

The Coastal Resources Management Group (CRMG) was established in mid 2007 through the amalgamation of the pre-existing Tsunami Response Programme and Marine and Coastal Programme within the IUCN Sri Lanka Country programme. CRMG is one of the three thematic programmes in IUCN Sri Lanka comprising of staff specializing in Social Sciences and Biological Sciences with experience in the coastal and marine sector. The group is divided between two units, namely; 1. the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Unit and 2. The Coastal Livelihoods and Policy Unit. The main objectives of the overall group are to promote sustainable use of resources within marine and coastal ecosystems through the application and development of integrated coastal zone management approaches and practices, to foster commitment for implementation of site specific marine biodiversity conservation management plans, to influence national level policy to facilitate improved management of marine and coastal resources and to create awareness, demonstrate and influence policymakers on the application of economics tools for conservation planning.

Coastal Resources Management Unit (CRMG)
Coordinator
Shamen P. Vidanage
spv@iucnsl.org
 

Interaction between IUCN and the private sector have intensified over the past few years. Much of the high profile dialogue and collaboration has been at the global level. However, inspired by the global processes and alongside them, there have been increased efforts of collaboration at the field level.

In Sri Lanka the process was triggered by an active participation of the private sector in the IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum held in December 2003. The contacts so established provided a platform and incentive for a continued dialogue with the private sector resulting in a more substantive collaboration. One of the major out comes is that the IUCN country program now has secured a seat on the Environment Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCC). The Ceylon Chamber is the most senior Chamber in Sri Lanka and it is reputed to be one of the oldest in the world. This places IUCN in a position of policy influence with the industries. Alongside, the business and IUCN have identified initiatives for specific improvements to Sri Lanka's environment.

Purpose of the programme
The purpose of this emerging programme is to assess the current level of corporate environmental responsibility within Sri Lanka's business sector, with an aim towards enhancing sustainable development efforts within the country. This will enable IUCN to create value-added information in keeping with its role as a knowledge-based organization, define the parameters for future, need-based interaction with the business sector and to better assess the resource generating and partnership potential.

Long Term Objective

Sri Lanka's business communities actively incorporate environmental concerns into their day-to-day operations and decision-making practices, resulting in sustainable development in the country

Short Term Objective

To assess and document current levels of corporate environmental responsibility and to facilitate best practices, within Sri Lanka's business sector and to use this knowledge to empower the constituency

Coordinator, Business and Biodiversity Programme
Asanka Abayakoon
aab@iucnsl.org