SL B&B second meeting of members, CEO Forum today- 6 October 2015- Daily FT
SL B&B second meeting of members, CEO Forum today
Tuesday, 6 October 2015 00:02
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The Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity (SL B&B) platform of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will hold its second meeting of members and CEO Forum focusing on the platform’s achievements so far and some key initiatives it has developed for the benefit of its membership and the Sri Lankan private sector at large. The event will be held today, 6 October, at the Ramada Colombo.
The overall mandate of the platform is to encourage dialogue and raise awareness on biodiversity and environmental issues amongst the Sri Lankan business community. Backed by 29 Patron Member companies and 24 General Member companies, the platform works to assist the private sector in understanding and mainstreaming biodiversity within their core businesses, partnering with the Government, non-government sectors as well as academia.
At this event, the SL B&B Platform will relaunch as an autonomous body – Biodiversity Sri Lanka – taking its status to a higher level with refined focus on addressing national priorities with regard to biodiversity conservation. In addition, the CEOs and focal points of its member companies will also witness the launch of a ranking scheme for biodiversity projects, a biodiversity credit accrual system for Sri Lanka, and an online biodiversity/environmental project bank, at this meeting.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and Dilmah Conservation established the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform to encourage and provide services to Sri Lankan businesses to engage more vigorously in the conservation and sustainable use of Sri Lanka’s unique biodiversity.
One of the aims of the platform is to be a one-stop-shop for information, advice and scientific assistance to companies to preserve our natural heritage. The platform is committed to publicise the efforts of the private sector and to create a network linking Sri Lanka’s businesses, Government agencies and biodiversity conservation organisations. https://biodiversitysrilanka.org/old/.
THE SRI LANKA BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY PLATFORM REBRANDS AS BIODIVERSITY SRI LANKA
THE SRI LANKA BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY PLATFORM REBRANDS AS BIODIVERSITY SRI LANKA
The Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity (SL B&B)Platform, today rebrands itself as Biodiversity Sri Lanka, at its second Meeting of Members and CEO Forum,taking a bold step further in focusing on national priorities that would set higher standards for Sri Lanka’s private sector to further commit towards the conservation of our valuable biological heritage.
Initiated in August 2012 by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and Dilmah Conservation, the Platform has now completed three years of operations gaining to date the support of 29 Patron Members and 24 General Members representing six different industry sectors – Banking and Finance, Engineering and Construction, Information and Communications Technology, Plantations and Agribusiness, Production and Manufacturing and Tourism and Hospitality.
Biodiversity Sri Lanka will strive to expand its current status as a private sector-led, member-driven, nationally-owned initiative serving to promote dialogue, exchange knowledge and link networks,both local and global, to a body that would be identified directly with Sri Lanka’s private sector leadership in biodiversity conservation.
Three new initiatives will also be launched at this event. A Biodiversity Project Ranking Scheme – a set of criteria which can be applied to systematically rank biodiversity projectswill attempt to drive the private sector in incorporating well-defined scientific approaches in projects, devise action plan-based operations including community involvement and achieving core objectives, thereby devising a scheme that recognizes the importance of these projects in addressing national biodiversity conservation priorities.
A Biodiversity Credit Accrual System for Sri Lanka will also be introduced at this forum, a novel concept to enable biodiversity conservation project owners to accrue credits from the enhancement and protection of biodiversity on their land. Biodiversity Sri Lanka, with the expertise of a specialized sub-committee will work towards establishing a modality for such a mechanism on par with the requirements and standards already available in other parts of the world.
An Online Project Bank – a collection of project identification documents in line with national priorities will also be unveiled at the evening event. This bank will feature numerous project ideas in various thematic areas such asAssessment of biodiversity, Biodiversity and communities, Education, Awareness and Culture, Inland waters and wetland conservation, Marine and coastal conservation, Reforestation, Ecosystems and Habitat restoration and Species conservation will be available for development and implementation by the private sector.
Biodiversity conservation gets a big boost-Sunday Times , October 04, 2015
Biodiversity conservation gets a big boost
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Business and conservation, inextricably linked to each other, will be taken to a higher level with the launch on Tuesday of ‘Biodiversity Sri Lanka’ with a clear focus on national priorities.
It would also see the metamorphosis of the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform (SL B&B Platform) set up under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) with no legal status to ‘Biodiversity Sri Lanka’, an autonomous body with its own niche as a ‘company limited by guarantee’ giving it more muscle.
The event on Tuesday at the Ramada Hotel in Colombo marks this transformation of the Platform from a seed planted three years ago by a small group of companies to safeguard the country’s environment, to a beautiful tree with its canopy reaching far and wide.
The event is supported by Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC, Dilmah Conservation, Jetwing Hotels Ltd., National Development Bank PLC, People’s Leasing and Finance PLC and Sampath Bank PLC.
Giving the backdrop, it is Platform Advisor Shiranee E. Yasaratne who explains that having serious concerns about the little focus on the environment and the need to have coordination and consistency and no duplication, it was the CCC that acted as the catalyst to form the SL B&B Platform.
Earlier, there were only isolated corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and small ad hoc conservation projects, she says, citing numerous tree planting campaigns, around 85% of which died a natural death after a while.
With a need for the bigger picture including biodiversity and environmental conservation to be looked at, the Platform has now moved in the direction of ‘Biodiversity Sri Lanka’.
Platform Coordinator R.M. Harshini de Silva talks of the Platform’s beginnings three years ago – how the CCC joined the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Dilmah Conservation to provide a valuable service to businesses investing in sustainable development and conserving natural resources.
The Platform has as its initial six-member Board of Directors, high-level representatives from the CCC, IUCN, Dilmah Conservation, Rainforest Ecolodge (Pvt.) Ltd., Hatton National Bank PLC and Access Group.
While there are 29 Patron Members and 24 General Members, thetea-giant Dilmah funded the setting up of the Secretariat to facilitate this business-led initiative.
Word got around of the work being carried out by the Platform, the Sunday Times learns, with others showing “enormous interest”.
Now three years on, much behind-the-scenes work has taken place, with the movers and shakers of the Platform being in agreement that it would be better if businesses engaging in conservation could channel their efforts to achieving national priorities without just picking up any project.
It was to list these ‘Biodiversity Priorities of Sri Lanka’ that Sherani Ruberu, under the guidance of the Platform’s Projects and Communications Coordinator Buddhi Seneviratne went a-knocking on the doors of numerous people and groups including Government officials, non-governmental representatives, scientists, researchers, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, et al.
Pointing out that the mandate of the Platform is fostering dialogue between the private sector and conservation agencies, Ms. de Silva says the purpose is to be a knowledge-sharing system, nationally-owned, member-driven mechanism, while also providing assistance to businesses to find solutions to adjust their activities to ensure environmentally-responsible management and sustainable growth.
One of the objectives is also to add economic value to biodiversity conservation and integrate it into the core business of companies.
The Platform, meanwhile, has set up the Technical Resource Bank which provides an insight into sectoral best practices in biodiversity conservation and also a ‘Project Bank’ on all on-going and proposed projects.
“It also helps businesses to build on their green credentials and be eligible for Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards and other awards in the realm of environment,” adds Ms. de Silva.
The conservation projects currently being implemented by the Platform’s wide-ranging member-companies are diverse: Reforestation; Species Conservation; Education, Awareness and Culture; Coastal and Coral Conservation; Marine Conservation; Inland Waters Conservation; Solid and E-waste Management; Assessment of Biodiversity; Biodiversity and Communities; and Terrestrial Ecosystem and Habitat Restoration.
These projects are scattered across the country from Colombo to Bundala, Arugam Bay to Mannar, Anuradhapura to Horton Plains, Hanwella to Pannala, Hiyare to Adam’s Peak, Dambulla to Kalutara, Yagirala to Endana and Minneriya to Hiniduma.
However, not satisfied with what they have achieved and always striving to do more, the Platform in three short years has now decided to spread its canopy to cover small and medium enterprises, having received “an overwhelming response” from its members, according to Ms. Yasaratne.
| Four projects being facilitated by SLB&BFour of the numerous projects being facilitated and coordinated by the SL B&B Platform are: Wetworking and conserving the Bolgoda wetland complex – Bolgoda is the largest natural freshwater lake in the country and a crucial part of the Kalu Ganga basin. Located close to the capital, it faces threats similar to those assailing any natural ecosystem close to a highly urban area.These threats include reclamation and clearing for urban expansion, unsustainable solid waste disposal by households and industries, especially saw mills, and release of industrial, domestic and commercial wastewater into the area.The degradation and destruction of the wetlands have in recent times increased flood damage and caused a decline in aquatic biodiversity.This 18-month project to be launched on Tuesday (October 6), supported by Sampath Bank PLC and implemented by the Sri Lanka Water Partnership, aims to assist in the restoration of degraded areas of this wetland.It will help conserve biodiversity, maintain the watershed and increase its resilience to climate change for the benefit of the local communities as well as the agricultural and industrial sectors.A biodiversity assessment and determination of the extent of environmental degradation will be undertaken. A vulnerability index will also be developed and awareness campaigns carried out among the public.Watershed conservation and restoration in the Knuckles conservation forest and environmental protection area: Mini-watershed of Puwakpitiya oya – Although water-based development is a national priority, watershed degradation is a major issue in highland areas such as the Puwakpitiya oya basin.Deforestation, agricultural land conversion and growing settlements as well as water contamination by heavy agrochemical usage are some of the dangers. This three-year project supported by HSBC Sri Lanka and implemented by IUCN, launched on October 1, will promote an integrated ecosystem and community-based approach to watershed management. It will rehabilitate the Puwakpitiya watershed vegetation, enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services and empower communities and local conservation agencies to manage forest resources. The project will also provide a pilot model for integrated management of mini-watersheds containing forests and traditional villages in the Knuckles region. Solid waste management for the Dick oya watershed area of the Castlereigh reservoir in support of Ceylon Tea Trails. This reservoir is considered a high-value resource by Ceylon Tea Trails, the world’s first bungalow resort, promoting responsible nature-based and adventure tourism in the central highlands. But much of this reservoir is being degraded due to improper solid waste disposal through the Dick oya and Keselgamu oya. Waste caught in the traps placed on the upper section of the bank of the Dick oya by a privately-owned mini-hydro power plant has also not been cleared. This year-long project launched in June supported by Dilmah Conservation under Ceylon Tea Services PLC and implemented by the Castlereigh Freshwater Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Ltd. — in collaboration with the local authorities, the Central Environmental Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board — aims to implement a waste management plan for the town, carry out awareness programmes and develop a monitoring and evaluation programme. Estimating the sloth bear population density in the Wilpattu National Park: Phase II – Under this year-long project launched in June, the ‘Biodiversity Education And Research’ (BEAR) group with the support of CIC Holdings PLC aims to extend the population studies conducted in Phase I to cover the entirety of the National Park to identify the sloth bears’ home range using GPS-collaring techniques. It hopes to develop innovative field techniques to monitor sloth bears, gather data on the ecology, biology of and threats to this species to help in their conservation, strategy formulation and management. Phase I conducted earlier resulted in new knowledge on sloth bear population dynamics, habits, behaviour, food preferences and precise numbers/abundance based on photo records in a localised area of the National Park. |
HSBC, CCC AND IUCN COLLABORATES TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE KNUCKLES CONSERVATION FOREST- Daily News Friday, October 2, 2015/LMD
Photograph of Project Launch (from L to R: Mr. Shamen Vidanage – Programme Coordinator, IUCN Sri Lanka, Mr. Mangala P. B. Yapa – Secretary General/CEO, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (on behalf of the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform) and Mr. Sriyan Cooray – Chief Operating Officer Sri Lanka and Maldives, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives)
Guided by the Forest Department, HSBC together with the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and IUCN will begin working together on conserving and improving the mini watershed area of the Puwakpitiya Oya in the Knuckles Conservation Forest and Environmental Protection Area. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the biodiversity and ecosystem services of this area through the next three years in several stages.
The Knuckles Conservation Forest was declared a Conservation Forest by the Forest Department in 2000 and an Environmental Protection Area under the National Environmental Act, in 2007. The forest provides vital watershed services, important for socio-economic development downstream. It also contains distinct biodiversity with over ten point-endemic faunal species already documented.
The Puwakpitiya Oya basin is an important highland area connected to the Moragahakanda irrigation development project. It also contributes significantly in securing habitats for point-endemic freshwater fish. However, watershed degradation due to deforestation, agricultural land conversion and growing settlements, is causing the depletion of water supply and springs upstream. A few of the anticipated positive outcomes of the project would be an improved watershed area with enhanced watershed functions, enhanced biodiversity and a better socio-economic situation for the community.
The project will commence with an initial baseline survey in order to collect data on the ecological and socio-economic status of the project area. On completion, attempts at rehabilitating the flora in the Puwakpitiya watershed area will commence. Activities such as improving community-based eco-agriculture, improving natural forest protection within the Puwakpitiya basin and developing livelihood opportunities linked to agro-forestry products and sustainable eco-tourism are several key areas that will be addressed. The project will aim to empower communities and local conservation agencies in managing forest resources effectively for people and conservation benefits, through knowledge-based interventions.
A monitoring system will be developed to ensure the sustainability and continuance of the positive outcomes of this project.
HSBC Sri Lanka: HSBC as a global bank is committed to the principles of Corporate Sustainability. It is not solely an environmental or social agenda, nor is it confined to governance and ethics.
For HSBC, sustainability is about making decisions that maintain the right balance between the environment, society and the economy to ensure business success. Thus, HSBC has ventured into various missions with regard to long term sustainability of the environment.
Globally, HSBC focuses its community investment on education and the environment, because they provide the fundamental building blocks for the development of communities. http://www.hsbc.lk/1/2/
Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform: The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with IUCN and Dilmah Conservation established the Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform in 2012, to encourage and provide services to Sri Lankan businesses to engage more vigorously in the conservation and sustainable use of Sri Lanka’s unique biodiversity. The Platform is committed to creating a network linking Sri Lanka’s businesses, government agencies and biodiversity conservation organizations. To date, the Platform has garnered the commitment of fifty Patron and General Members towards the achievement of its key objective of involving the Sri Lankan private sector in concerted efforts in the conservation of biodiversity. https://biodiversitysrilanka.org/old/
CBD Business & Biodiversity Forum 2015-“Practices, Solutions and the Way Forward”
“Practices, Solutions and the Way Forward”
11–12 November, Helsinki, Finland
The President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö is the patron of the CBD Business & Biodiversity Forum 2015.
CBD Business & Biodiversity Forum 2015 “Practices, Solutions and the Way Forward” will be held on 11–12 November, at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland. The 5th CBD Business and Biodiversity Forum offers various examples of companies’ solutions from the agriculture, forestry, mining and oil industries. In addition, financing mechanisms for biodiversity will be discussed, along with the role of biodiversity in supply chain management.
The forum is aimed at broadening the knowledge of the central role corporations play in protecting biodiversity and deepening companies’ understanding of business opportunities connected to biodiversity and the associated risks in the loss of biodiversity. It brings together biodiversity specialists working for corporations from around the world to exchange knowledge of companies’ latest practices on business and biodiversity.
The Finnish Ministry of the Environment is organising the event in cooperation with Finland’s leading corporate responsibility network FIBS and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The CBD Business and Biodiversity Forum is part of the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity initiative that supports biodiversity. The forum was last held in October 2014 in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in parallel with COP 12 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Target groups
The forum is primarily targeted to companies; however, NGOs, educational institutions, the public sector, business and biodiversity initiatives and other relevant stakeholders are welcome to participate in the meeting. Especially, we look forward to seeing participants from the Nordic countries, the Baltic region and Russia.
The main target groups are:
- Top management: supply, finance and strategy directors, executive board members, board of directors
- Corporate responsibility, environment and quality directors, managers and specialists
- Communication managers and specialists
- Researchers
- Public sector (e.g. ministries)
- Media (especially finance and environmental journalists)
- NGOs
- Business and biodiversity initiatives
At the 2014 CBD Business and Biodiversity Forum over 30 countries were represented. The forum gathered together about 250 official representatives of businesses, Parties of the convention, associations, NGOs, academia and other stakeholder groups.
