CSF recently hosted a panel discussion with three national and international experts on the role of nature-linked sovereign debt instruments in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, amidst debt distress and acute environmental pressures. This Analytical Note summarises the 10 key messages.

CSF’s latest Policy Brief looks at the implications of selected aspects of the European Green Deal for Sri Lanka’s exports. We flag four areas for action -Government support, Public-private partnerships, International cooperation and bilateral engagement, and Industry support to SMEs.

Short-term and unsustainable plans for a tourism recovery, with narrow views on destination identity, can threaten the natural assets that Sri Lanka's tourism is branded on. On World Tourism Day 2024, we argue that its time for Sri Lanka to re-define tourism destination identities through an inclusive and imaginative approach. With examples from Kalpitiya and Yala, based on ongoing research, this article suggests the need to 'co-discover' destination identities with local stakeholders.

In July 2024, the Colombo Urban Lab team embarked on a series of exploratory sessions in Colombo to reflect on public spaces in the city. Starting at Independence Square, we took routes that went through major public spaces that we recognised as being synonymous with many people’s lives in Colombo. From Viharamahadevi Park to Race Course Mall, we looked at the purpose of each of these public spaces, and how they are used today. These are some of our reflections on what we felt, saw, and heard.

Climate finance is growing globally, but women risk getting left behind. From the instruments we use, to the climate actions we fund, women are impacted. As Sri Lanka attempts to accelerate climate finance, gender must be a leading consideration.

Sri Lanka is yet to give dedicated national priority to this agenda, unlike several other countries that have placed it at the heart of public policies on TVET and employment. The country must build on the recognition given to green jobs in its Climate Prosperity Plan, and articulate a clear and future-oriented ‘Green Jobs Strategy’.