Carbon-neutral Sri Lanka – Long- haul destination of the developing world – March 2008

Sri Lanka is an exotic tropical destination supported with abundance of greenery and historical marvels. Tourists from all over the world visit Sri Lanka every year in search of a perfect holiday ranging from nature, culture, adventure, education, healing and spiritual discovery or simply in search of winter sun. All this is within easy reach in a small island.

Being an Island destination, access is generally by air and the majority of tourists take a long haul flight. Western Europe accounts for generating over 220,000 tourists annually making it over 40% of total arrivals to the country. Average duration of stay of tourist is 10 days. A traveler from Europe generates approximately 1.8 tons of emission on an average on a return flight to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s contribution to global warming- emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) is negligible. More than 85% CO2 and other green house gasses have been put in Earth’s atmosphere by the rich countries. Those who have created the problem and those who suffer from climate change are two different parties. Under the Kyoto protocol, the developed countries are obliged to reduce their emissions by 5%.

There is no obligation for Sri Lanka to reduce emissions unless we are paid for it. But, Sri Lanka is already far ahead. Without even been paid for, Sri Lanka makes a carbon neutral destination due very special natural reasons and greening programmes implemented by the tourism industry. Climate change is also in the heart of sustainable development policies in the island. The Tourism Authorities have developed a proposal for Sri Lanka to be a pioneering Travel & Tourism Earth Lung “Carbon Clean Sri Lanka - Earth Lung” creating a strategy for public private sector, the people of Sri Lanka and destination’s visitors to create a carbon neutral destination.

Carbon Neutral Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka is one of the Asian hotspots of diversity and endemism. Its recorded number of 3368 species of vascular plants, over 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, 419 bird species and 89 species of mammals. Forests naturally absorb CO2 and are carbon sinks. Sri Lanka has approximately 30% forest cover, 2 million hectares of forest store approximately 21 tones per ha for a total of 40 million tones of carbon.
• In addition to the forest cover, tea rubber and coconut plantations store carbon and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and mahogany support the timber industry
• Each year about 1000 ha. are reforested and about 2 million seedlings are distributed among local communities to enhance the tree cover in the country. The Forestry Department also supports many community forestry programmes
• Every year the Responsible Tourism Partnership ‘Tress for Life’ plants 100,000 trees engaging tourists in conservation
• The consumption of electricity by the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is approximately 4% of the total electricity consumption of the country and it is equivalent to about 310GWh. Total energy is 9% hydro power, 48% bio mass and 43% petroleum.
• Hotel sector has already implemented various energy saving, energy efficient and renewable energy (solar & bio mass) programmes involving cleaner technologies and introduction of renewable energy to reduce the carbon foot print.
  
  
Tourists to Sri Lanka should not be deterred holidaying in Sri Lanka, it is a natural carbon sink and a responsible destination where the government and the tourism industry is committed to further strengthen and expand the carbon reduction activities and tourism to the island can only support these ongoing activities and make it a more greener destination.

For More Information Contact Charmarie Maalge at the Responsible Tourism Partnership
E mail: rtpcmelge@sltnet.lk

March 2008