By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka has positioned itself as a strong advocate for regional cooperation on climate action, urging Asia-Pacific nations to work together to unlock the potential of blue carbon ecosystems as a key tool in tackling climate change while supporting sustainable development.
Addressing a special session on “Regional Cooperation for Blue Carbon Financing to Accelerate Integrated Climate Action in the Asia and Pacific Region” in Bangkok on Thursday (2), Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody has said no country could address the climate crisis in isolation and called for stronger partnerships among governments, academia, the private sector, and local communities.
The session, jointly organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Landscape Alliance, had focused on financing mechanisms and regional collaboration to protect and restore coastal ecosystems capable of storing significant amounts of carbon.
Blue carbon at the heart of climate action
Jayakody has stressed that for island nations such as Sri Lanka, the ocean is far more than a geographical boundary – it is central to economic security, livelihoods, and environmental resilience.
He has highlighted the growing importance of “blue carbon” ecosystems, including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes, noting that these habitats absorb carbon dioxide at rates considerably higher than tropical rainforests and can store carbon for centuries.
Beyond carbon sequestration, he has said these ecosystems provide critical natural protection against climate-related disasters by reducing coastal erosion, buffering storm surges, and protecting vulnerable communities.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Deputy Minister has noted that mangrove forests can reduce wave energy and cyclone risks by approximately 66%, underscoring their value as natural infrastructure in climate adaptation strategies.
Regional partnerships
Sri Lanka used the forum to call for greater financial and technical support from countries across the Asia-Pacific region to develop integrated blue carbon initiatives.
According to Jayakody, Sri Lanka envisions a collaborative framework bringing together governments, researchers, businesses, development partners, and local communities to advance sustainable coastal management while mobilising climate finance.
He has said regional cooperation would be essential to scale up conservation efforts and maximise the environmental and economic benefits of blue carbon ecosystems.
National commitments
The Deputy Minister has said Sri Lanka has already incorporated blue carbon conservation into its climate agenda through its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) and National Adaptation Plan, both of which include commitments to restore and protect coastal ecosystems as part of the country’s journey toward achieving net-zero emissions.
Sri Lanka is also strengthening regional engagement through its role as host of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) and participation in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The country is contributing to regional initiatives including mangrove mapping, carbon stock assessments, the development of standardised measurement methodologies, and knowledge sharing under South-South cooperation frameworks.
Investing in natural climate solutions
Concluding his address, Jayakody has described investment in blue carbon ecosystems as a strategic necessity rather than an environmental option.
He has said healthy coastal ecosystems not only strengthen climate resilience but also support fisheries, tourism, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Calling for greater regional solidarity, he has expressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to work with Asia-Pacific countries and international partners to develop integrated blue carbon financing mechanisms that would accelerate climate action while delivering long-term socio-economic benefits across the region.
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