Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change in Sri Lanka involves interactions between land and water. Water from upstream catchments underpins food security. Climate change increases rainfall in the uplands, increasing sediment flow, that reduces storage capacity of reservoirs. This happens at the same as higher temperatures and more frequent and severe drought in the dry zone increases irrigation requirements for rice. The GCF Knuckles project employs EbA to address these problems by harnessing the value of ecosystem services derived from upstream catchments, to invest in their protection, while improving the water use efficiency of food production in the dry zone.

In this session we look at a recent initiative to better incorporate water management and aquatic foods in the principles of agroecology, placing this in the context of the role of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) at the Green Climate Fund and in addressing climate change effects in Sri Lanka. We outline the GCF Knuckles project that uses EbA to address land and water issues in an integrated way by protecting upland watersheds while promoting climate resilient agricultural practices. A key feature of the project is the development of payment for ecosystem service mechanisms to provide sustainable financing of agroecological intensification.

Agenda

Welcome remarks

Moderator

Fergus Sinclair

AE-TPP Co-convenor and Agroecology Specialist

Revision of agroecological principles to better incorporate water management and aquatic foods

Speaker

Matthew McCartney

Research Group Leader - Sustainable Water Infrastructure & Ecosystems, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Priorities for adaptation to climate change in Sri Lanka

Speaker

Leel Randeni

Director (Climate Change), Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka

Film about the GCF Knuckles project

Ministry of Irrigation, Sri Lanka

Watershed protection, sustainable finance and integrated governance

Speaker

Fergus Sinclair

AE-TPP Co-convenor and Agroecology Specialist

Novel payment for ecosystem services from hydropower

Speaker

Prasanthi Gunawardene

Professor in Environmental Economics, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Prospects for using carbon and biodiversity credits to finance watershed protection

Speaker

Beria Leimona

Senior Expert Landscape Governance and Investment, CIFOR-ICRAF

Discussion

Moderator

Closing remarks

Moderator