Centre for a Smart Future

Are you interested in conservation financing, and topics like biodiversity credits, debt-for-nature swaps, and channelling global funding into conservation in #SriLanka? Then our #WWD2025 event this Friday is ideal for you! More information and sign-up links here - https://lnkd.in/gd8VmUXS We have Paul Steele on bio credits, Ashani Basnayake on debt-for-nature swaps, Vinod Malwatte on channelling funds to conservation, joined by Chaturangi Wickramaratne giving an ecologists' perspective. Followed by a panel discussion moderated by Anushka Wijesinha and Mehak Sangani Join us on Friday 7th March! Lanka Environment Fund Blue Resources Trust (BRT)

Our World Wildlife Day event, focussing on nature financing approaches, is now open for registration! Express your interest to attend 'Investing in Conservation, Valuing our Wildlife and Natural Ecosystems': Knowledge Symposium and Networking Event for World Wildlife Day 2025' by completing this form - https://lnkd.in/gyhx6BVV Event Highlights: ????Pre-Event – Game Simulation Session (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM) An interactive game simulation focused on decision-making in conservation. ????Main Event – Knowledge Symposium & Photography Exhibition (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM) Expert-led discussions on conservation challenges and solutions. Walkthrough of the acclaimed nature photography exhibition, 'The Tree Left Standing', followed by?refreshments, fellowship, and networking. Date:????March 7th 2025 Location:???Bay 9, TRACE Expert City, Maradana For queries, contact:??? 0765444678 | ?? [email protected] In partnership with Lanka Environment Fund and Blue Resources Trust (BRT)

How does Sri Lanka's new investment law compare to global trends? Promoting and facilitating private sector investment remains a priority in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, and medium-term growth trajectory.?Introduced by the previous administration, the Economic Transformation Act No. 45 of 2024 (ETA) establishes a new legal and institutional framework governing investments. While the future of the ETA was uncertain post-election, the 2025 Budget Speech confirmed the government’s intention to implement the act, but with amendments.?Anchored to global investment policy trends identified by the UNCTAD in a recent report, this new Policy Brief by CSF presents seven (7) observations emerging from comparing these global trends against the ETA that can inform the ongoing reform efforts. Authors - Senith Abeyanayake and Anushka Wijesinha https://lnkd.in/gTBFfpN3

Dr. Britt Yamamoto is not your typical speaker presenting ideas of leadership skills. His unique perspective on leadership challenges conventional wisdom for guiding others, particular that genuine leadership doesn’t solely emerge from visible accomplishments. Join us for an inspiring?session with Britt at our next YPPP Meet Up! Together with Britt, lets explore the?systems that are critical for sustainable and effective leadership! ??? DIG WHERE WE STAND??? ? ??? ?27th Feb 2025 (Thursday) ?? ?6:00 PM - 7:30 PM ??? Bay 09, Trace Expert City, Colombo 10 ?? Participation by registration only and seats are?limited. Sign up here https://lnkd.in/gD7PdRHY

Do we truly understand the complexities in how tourism and nature interact? Are the problems in our national parks easy to solve? As the government pursues ambitious targets for tourism in 2025 and beyond, how do we face the paradox that tourism both depends on, and threatens, nature? CSF set out to study this in more depth, and go beyond assumptions. This first in a series of publications from our tourism research explores how two complex systems - nature and tourism - interact with each other. We use a systems mapping of stakeholder perceptions to provide a better understanding of how these interactions impact the issue of overcrowding and safari misbehaviour in Yala National Park Block 1. Authors - Senith Abeyanayake and Minuri Perera . Click here to read 'Spotting the Problem: Understanding Complexities in Tourism and Nature in Yala National Park' - https://lnkd.in/g_YkTG5T

As Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals increase, balancing pressures on nature and preventing worsening of existing issues is becoming challenging. But in charting a smarter path, unpacking and understanding the complexities of this tourism-nature nexus is important. The first of our reports from our recent research to influence a better tourism recovery explores the issue of overcrowding and safari misbehaviour at Yala National Park. Stay tuned as CSF will publish ‘Spotting the Problem: Understanding Complexities in Tourism and Nature in Yala National?Park’ this week. Swipe through for some previews from the report! #tourism #Yala #SriLanka #Nature Senith Abeyanayake Minuri Perera

CSF hosted a stakeholder discussion today on corporate environmental disclosures in Sri Lanka, anchored to our recent research publication. We had diverse participation from across the spectrum of national stakeholders who are interested in this agenda, ranging from consulting firms, industry associations, leading corporates, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Colombo Stock Exchange, and the Ministry of Environment. Thank you to our panelists for their insightful and thought-provoking comments Chulendra De Silva Amanthi Perera Romani De Silva - and thanks to the industry professionals who participated today and shared their perspectives! Shayani Weeresinghe Prashani Illangasekera Pyumi Sumanasekara Yasangi Randeni Shiranee Yasaratne Dilanthi Ranaweera Lucy Emerton Nishantha Hewavithana Kavinda Ratnapala Mohan Thanthirige Medhini Igoor Chathumin Gunarathne To read the report, visit - https://lnkd.in/gai65g5N #environmentdisclosures #ESG #IFRS #SLFRS #disclosures #impact #srilanka #naturepositiveeconomy #beyondGDP

In this exclusive op-ed for the Daily FT, CSF Researcher Medhini Igoor writes, “The question is not whether Sri Lankan companies should adopt sustainability reporting, but how effectively they can turn it into a strategic advantage. If done right, this shift will not only enhance corporate accountability but also strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in global markets, attract responsible investment, and drive long-term economic resilience.” https://lnkd.in/gjvmijvY

While many companies tend to outsource environmental reporting to external consultants, certain organisational factors are crucial for producing effective environmental disclosures. Our latest research shows that key drivers include top management championing sustainability; in-house trained sustainability professionals steering the process; and cross-departmental alignment to embed sustainability into core business operations. Swipe through for insights on how and why building organisational capacity can be a game-changer for corporate environmental reporting! Here's the link to read the full CSF report on Corporate Environmental Disclosures. https://lnkd.in/gai65g5N #environmentaldisclosures #sustainabilityreporting #organisationalcapacity #srilanka #ESG

Environmental reporting in Sri Lanka is evolving, but is it truly driving impact? Many companies struggle with navigating multiple frameworks and regulations, dealing with data gaps, and managing environmental information in terms of financial risks and opportunities. Swipe through to explore expert insights on the nuances of corporate sustainability reporting, drawing from our latest Research Brief! https://lnkd.in/gai65g5N #environmentaldisclosures #sustainabilityreporting #reportingframeworks #srilanka #ESG #IFRS #GRI Medhini Igoor