Cabinet nod to secure US $ 0.86mn FAO grant to enhance climate transparency in land utilisation

The Cabinet nod has been given to secure a US $ 0.86 million grant from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to prepare a framework to enhance transparency in land utilisation in agriculture and forestry, under the country’s climate commitments.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to enter into an agreement with the FAO to secure US $ 863,242 grant, under its global environment facility for implementation the proposed project.

Sri Lanka ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. As per Section 13 of the Paris Agreement, the
ratified countries are required to report the progress of the actions taken in regard to the climatic changes transparently.  

Enhancing its commitments, Sri Lanka in the United Nations Convention on Climate Changes summit held last year recognised agriculture and forestry as two major sectors to combat climate change.

“Accordingly, a project has been planned to prepare the framework that transparency has been enhanced for the sectors of agriculture, forestry and other land utilisation fields, with the financial grant of global environment facility advised by the Environment Ministry and assistance by the United Nations FAO,” the Government Information Department said.