Ethical, Sustainable & Climate-friendly Entrepreneurship

SLYCAN Trust signs MoU with the Ministry of Environment

In a significant move towards promoting ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka at both local and national levels, the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka and SLYCAN Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU establishes a framework of cooperation and facilitates collaboration between the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka and SLYCAN Trust. The collaboration focuses on areas of common interest related to supporting ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, encompassing multi-stakeholder engagement, awareness initiatives, adaptation efforts, and capacity-building. The objective is to create an enabling environment that supports entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. The MoU was formally signed on November 1st, 2023, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel during the Summit on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems.

The MoU between the Ministry of Environment and SLYCAN Trust aims to contribute to the establishment, management, and maintenance of an entrepreneurship registry at the national level. This initiative builds upon existing divisional-level data collection processes and actions related to eco-products. The MoU serves as an expansion of the Ministry's interventions at the Divisional Secretariat level. SLYCAN Trust's involvement, as outlined in the MoU, will facilitate and support capacity-building and training on entrepreneurship in selected sites. These efforts will be guided by identified gaps, synergies, and resource availability.

Ministry of Environment Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and SLYCAN Trust Executive Director, Attorney-at-Law Vositha Wijenayake at the MoU signing

Global Goal on Adaptation

Intergenerational Dialogue on the Global Goal on Adaptation

On November 10th, SLYCAN Trust hosted a workshop that brought together youth activists, advocates, and representatives from the international climate community. The focus was on integrating youth-led priorities into the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Dennis Mombauer, Director of SLYCAN Research & Knowledge Management, presented the proposed framework for the GGA, and Thilini Gunathilake, Research & Programme Officer, outlined SLYCAN Youth’s impactful work on resilience and the role of young people in climate action.

This led to an open, facilitated discussion on how youth considerations could be integrated into the framework and which issues should be prioritized. A key point for many participants was recognizing the crucial role young people play in communicating and dynamising stories of resilience. Concerning the GGA targets, participants expressed a desire for disaggregated data, a strong commitment to inclusion, and a focus on comprehensive climate education. Several Global Fellows associated with SLYCAN Trust’s GGA work program voiced their support and shared insights into the GGA process. The outcome of this discussion was documented in the Information Brief which SLYCAN Trust representatives subsequently presented in Dubai at COP28.

Risk Management

Multi-Actor Partnership for Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Preparedness in the Tourism Sector

On the 21st of November, SLYCAN Trust hosted an event with the aim of launching a multi-actor partnership on climate and disaster risk transfer and finance in the tourism sector. Over 30 entities participated, bringing together key stakeholders such as hoteliers, bankers, government agencies, academics, and various private sector entities.

Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister, addressed the gathering and highlighted the urgent need for building climate resilience. He stressed the importance of solutions that integrate climate risk management with economic empowerment.

The event facilitated dialogues on collective engagement approaches, inclusive partnership models, risk management enhancements, and collaborations for long-term resilience in climate and disaster risk management. Participants emphasized the need for adaptability to climate changes and building capacity at all levels. Entrepreneurship skills were identified as essential for coping with challenges posed by climate change.

Participants also highlighted economic empowerment through holistic risk management in the tourism sector, citing the high impacts of climate risks, including recent experiences of heavy showers and the risk of decreased tourist arrivals due to bad weather. They emphasized the continued support needed to create an enabling environment for the adoption of climate-friendly practices in the tourism sector, including policy support for renewable energy, sustainable practices, and long-term climate resilience.

To contribute to this process, SLYCAN Trust will host a series of follow-up dialogues in 2024.

Local workshop on tourism sector entrepreneurship at Bentota

In November, SLYCAN Trust organized capacity-building events centered around entrepreneurship and tourism in Sri Lanka. These events took place in Bentota, Galle District of Sri Lanka. The first event catered to participants from the Bentota DS office, while the second event saw participation from different stakeholders, including government officials, youth representatives, and tourism and hospitality sector.

Attendees highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the tourism industry due to the impacts of climate change. The discussions highlighted the need for proactive measures, emphasizing the development of entrepreneurship skills as a crucial aspect for effectively addressing and adapting to these challenges.

Additionally, insights for establishing the 'EthicalX: Climate and Innovation Hub' in Galle District were provided by this event to enhance the technical capacities of entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, with a focus on climate resilience, ethical, and sustainable business models. This proposed hub aims to serve as a focal point for enhancing the technical capacities of entrepreneurs within the tourism industry.

To contribute to this process, SLYCAN Trust will host a series of follow-up dialogues in several divisional areas in 2024.

Youth

Youth Dialogue on Innovative and Climate-Friendly Food Systems

On the 1st of November, SLYCAN Trust Youth, in collaboration with SLYCAN Trust, Meatless Monday, and ClimaComms, organised the Innovative and Climate-Friendly Food Systems Summit, during which SLYCAN Trust Youth hosted a hybrid Youth Dialogue on Innovative and Climate-Friendly Food Systems.

The youth dialogue explored three key topics:

1. Co-creating a Youth vision for food system transformation

2. Identifying solutions for climate-friendly and resilient food systems

3. Prioritising youth-led actions for resilience and sustainability in food systems

The event kicked off with active engagement from youth participants in shaping a vision for their increased role in advancing climate-friendly food systems, covering the six pillars of ACE and the components of research and knowledge management. Participants then identified solutions for resilient and climate-friendly food systems, focusing on three key areas, and thereafter worked to create proposals based on their solutions, fostering creative and solution-oriented discussions.

The event concluded with the groups presenting their proposals and engaging in a question-and-answer session, strengthening youth involvement in climate-friendly food systems.

Pre-COP Youth Forum - 23rd of November 9am to 5pm

As part of the Global Youth Forum, SLYCAN Trust Youth, in collaboration with SLYCAN Trust, UNICEF, EthicalX, and ClimaComms, organized a Pre-COP Youth Dialogue focused on youth involvement in climate policy and action in the lead-up to the 28th Conference Of Parties (COP28). The Pre-COP28 Youth dialogue facilitated and provided opportunities for youth to partake in key initiatives aimed at expanding their involvement and contributions to climate policy and action while amplifying youth engagement at local and global levels.

The International dialogue was conducted on November 21st/23rd, 2023, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. The key areas of focus for the event were:

UNFCCC process and climate negotiations
Climate risk and resilience building
ACE and Framework for Youth in Climate Change
Capacity-building needs identification for better youth engagement in climate policy, action at the national and global level.
Key thematic areas and key asks for COP28
Food Systems

Participation for the event was limited to 40 youth selected through an application process and a nomination process via universities of Sri Lanka. They were required to submit a narrative based on their activities on climate change in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the participants were requested to submit a pitch for a climate action for selected thematic areas for further enhancement during the Youth Dialogue.

The event facilitated a platform for professionals, experts, and participants to share and exchange knowledge on pressing climate change issues, policies, and strategies.

It increased awareness and understanding among participants regarding global climate initiatives, COP processes, and local adaptation strategies, fostering a more informed and engaged community.

The event created avenues for opportunities for networking and collaboration among stakeholders, encouraging partnerships and alliances to address climate challenges collectively. It empowered youth by providing a platform for their active involvement, encouraging their participation in shaping climate policies and fostering leadership roles in sustainability efforts. The event encouraged innovative thinking and discussions that may contribute to the development of effective climate policies and solutions.

Food Systems

Research Dialogue on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems

The Research Dialogue on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems occurred on November 1st, 2023, as part of the Summit on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems. It aimed to establish collaborative links among academics, professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the food sector, fostering discussions on the applications of climate-friendly food systems and building long-term partnerships.

The Research Dialogue focused on the theme of Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems. The overarching goal was to provide researchers, educators, and consumers with well-founded knowledge and resources to make informed choices, promoting the expansion of plant-based food alternatives.

During the Research Dialogue, researchers from universities and research institutes presented their work on resilience building in food systems and enabling sustainable agriculture and food production to a distinguished review panel. They received comments and feedback on how to advance their research work.

Entrepreneurs’ Forum on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems took place on November 1st, 2023, as part of the Summit on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems. The forum aimed to highlight, enhance, and scale up private sector contributions toward ethical, sustainable, and climate-friendly food systems, particularly those centered around plant-based approaches.

The Global Entrepreneurs’ Forum on Innovative and Climate-friendly Food Systems had the objective of facilitating collaboration and exchange among academics, professionals, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in the food sector. It served as a platform for sharing innovative concepts and building long-term partnerships. The forum provided a space for plant-based food entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses to share their innovations and success stories with an audience comprising enthusiastic academics, scholars, researchers, industry professionals, consumers, and students. The goal was to disseminate new knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen plant-based food options and entrepreneurial opportunities.

During the event, six innovative entrepreneurs had the opportunity to present their innovations and initiatives in plant-based food businesses. They connected with a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, academia, civil society, and public sector representatives. This exchange aimed to foster collaboration and contribute to the growth of plant-based food options and sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities.

Gender

Workshop on Addressing Climate-Induced Loss and Damage in Sri Lanka:

On November 20th, 2023, we organized a workshop to identify gaps and needs related to tackling climate-induced loss and damage in Sri Lanka. This event serves as a significant follow-up to a prior workshop held in July, where over 110 stakeholders from the public sector collaborated, led by the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka in partnership with SLYCAN Trust.

Representatives from ministries, departments, and government agencies focusing on mitigation, adaptation, and gender as a cross-cutting sector participated. Additionally, participants from civil society, academia, the private sector, development partners, UN agencies, embassies, and local communities enriched the discussion, emphasizing the importance of gender inclusion in climate action.

Pre-COP Youth Dialogue on Youth in Climate Policy and Action:

On November 23rd, SLYCAN Trust Youth, in collaboration with SLYCAN Trust, UNICEF Sri Lanka, EthicalX, and ClimaComms, conducted a Pre-COP youth dialogue on youth involvement in climate policy and action. This event, part of the Global Youth Forum, provided a platform for youth engagement in climate policy and action, setting the stage for COP28 scheduled from November 30th to December 12th, 2023.

The Pre-COP youth dialogue also emphasized Gender and Climate Change, with Ms. Sajani Ranasinghe, Attorney at Law, providing insights as a guest speaker online. Ms. Ranasinghe highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on different genders, addressing issues such as the lower participation of women in the global labor force and the heightened vulnerability of women in extreme poverty facing high water stress. The session underscored the critical need to integrate gender considerations into climate action, advocating for inclusive decision-making and the infusion of gender perspectives into policies, plans, and funding strategies. Ms. Ranasinghe passionately emphasized that true climate resilience requires a gender-inclusive approach at every level of decision-making, ensuring a blend of diverse voices and perspectives.