A new report by CSF titled, 'Acronyms and Accountability: Strategic Insights on Corporate Environmental Disclosures in Sri Lanka' offers a deeper examination of corporate environmental disclosures and their significance for Sri Lanka’s sustainability journey. It aims to provide practical recommendations for decision-makers, businesses, and stakeholders to adopt more effective and impactful disclosure practices.

While national security considerations when developing foreign investment regulation isn’t new, it is becoming a greater consideration when assessing investment into sectors and companies that play a critical function to society or are of strategic importance to a country. A recently published Discussion Paper by CSF serves to introduce this emerging area to Sri Lankan trade and investment stakeholders, provide some country examples, and to inform further deliberation on the topic.

While ESG seeks to channel investment towards companies that are environmentally responsible, socially conscious, and well-governed, their true sustainability impact remains debated. Several issues have been highlighted in recent reports. For Sri Lankan firms, a critical look at ESG is timely, to make meaningful progress on charting a greener, climate-resilient economic future.

Sri Lankan stakeholders need to view the new UNFCCC COP29 deal that set new rules for carbon markets, objectively. While it offers a new global framework for blue carbon projects - an area of emerging interest for Sri Lanka - it does come with many gaps and risks. Understanding the limitations of the deal, and indeed the complexities of blue carbon projects, is crucial for meaningful action.

Is Sri Lanka ready for debt instruments linked to nature? This was the focus of a knowledge sharing and engagement session that CSF held last month, at the 'Festival of Ideas' organised by the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS). The session titled, ‘Debt and Dugongs’, was led by CSF Research Associate Ashani Basnayake, and joined by CSF Director Anushka Wijesinha. Participants were drawn from civil society, private sector, development partners, and government.

Environmental disclosures are essential for accountability and transparency, but navigating the complex reporting landscape remains a challenge in Sri Lanka. From carbon accounting frameworks to sustainability standards, a myriad of acronyms shapes corporate accountability. As regulations tighten, understanding this evolving landscape and aligning with global expectations has become increasingly critical.