“Pledges mean nothing. It’s time to take action”

Home to a lush, tropical climate and vast rainforests, Sri Lanka is amongst the 30 most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Ali Sabry, the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, has expressed his frustration with political leaders who commit to climate change but fail to implement effective measures. Sabry has emphasised the need for tangible action to combat the effects of climate change and has called on his fellow politicians to prioritise this issue.

“A lot of promises have been made that look great on paper, but so far, nothing tangible has been happening on the ground,” he states.

“The tropical belt, where Sri Lanka is located, contains 40 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and rainforest. Climate challenges, like biodiversity loss and pollution, affect us directly. So, we are saying that enough is enough. It’s time for everyone to walk the talk. Pledges mean nothing.”

However, he is relieved that the UAE’s COP28 marks a turning point in the world’s approach to climate change. “The UAE is energetically and ambitiously leading COP28. I am sure that our positive discussions at COP28 will turn into positive action to make the world a better place for future generations. Sri Lanka is very interested in tackling climate change in partnership with like-minded countries such as the UAE,” he says.

Sri Lanka brings its admirable climate initiatives. It aims to operate on 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030, and the president is pushing forward its net-zero promise from 2050 to 2040. It also offers a degree in climate change, the first of its kind in Asia, and it is working to plant more trees and further uncover its renewable energy potential.

“We are in the process of promoting a revolution in vehicle transmission,” Sabry adds.

“We have ambition and a clear plan in place. We have progressed, but we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue working to achieve a sustainable future for our country, people and the world.”

Sri Lanka hosts a Climate Justice Forum that addresses the need for the biggest pollution emitters to support the developing countries most severely impacted by climate change. A topic that Sabry is immensely passionate about.

“Our private sector and regulators are also here to share knowledge and forge new collaborations. Gaining investments in our renewable energy sector remains a big focus for us.”