By: Staff Writer
July 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s energy-intensive industrial sector is receiving a major boost in its journey toward sustainability through a European Union (EU)-funded initiative aimed at combating climate change and promoting economic resilience.
The project, titled Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL), comes at a critical time when the country faces both economic uncertainty and escalating climate risks.
With heavy industries accounting for a substantial share of energy consumption and emissions, the program aims to equip these sectors with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transition to low-carbon practices.
The AICRSL initiative is financed by a €7.56 million (approximately LKR 2.8 billion) grant from the EU and is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The five-year program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Sri Lanka’s industrial sector by 7% by 2030, while improving energy efficiency and competitiveness.
At the heart of the project is support for Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and production industries, many of which rely heavily on fossil fuels and outdated technologies.
The program introduces robust systems for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of emissions, while also assisting in the development of policies that promote clean energy and low-carbon industrial processes.
Speaking at a national forum held in Colombo, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara emphasized the project’s impact: “To claim a significant share in the global market, our industries must outperform the competition through sustainable transformation.
The EU-funded AICRSL project has made a remarkable contribution by helping energy-intensive industries become more energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint. This initiative is creating a momentum for broader industrial decarbonization.”
Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, praised the country’s commitment to energy efficiency. “Today’s events have shown Sri Lanka’s resolve to transform its industrial sector in line with climate goals.
This aligns with international environmental commitments and the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. We are pleased to support this important transition,” he stated.
The forum brought together government officials, industry leaders, and international stakeholders to discuss collaborative approaches for emissions reduction, resilience building, and sustainable industrial growth.
One key focus was on empowering industry managers and service providers with training in renewable energy and energy efficiency, while also unlocking financing opportunities to scale up investment in green technologies.
By supporting knowledge sharing, technical upgrades, and strategic policy-making, the EU-backed project aims to position Sri Lanka’s industries on a path toward long-term climate resilience and global market relevance.
