World Vision Lanka implemented Carbon footprint calculations, as the first non-profit organisation in Sri Lanka to support the government’s Paris Agreement to convert Sri Lanka into a Net Zero Carbon Emission country by 2050. The initial findings of the calculations were presented at an event held in Colombo recently.
The Carbon footprint calculation was initiated at World Vision Lanka in collaboration with Help Logistics, a nonprofit organisation based in Switzerland that helps other nonprofits research logistics and transport. These calculations are categorised into Scope 1, 2 and 3. While Scope 1 accounts for direct Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from owned or controlled sources, Scope 2 covers indirect GHG emissions from the purchase and use of energy supplies. Scope 3 is GHG emissions that occur outside a company’s purview.
These emissions are measured in tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) and help organisations analyze their impact on climate change, relative to the company’s carbon footprint.
Sharing his views on the findings, Vimaladhas Vinasithamby, Programme Effectiveness Capacity Building Specialist at World Vision Lanka said, “Due to manufacturing or production, or directly in product or supply chain, Corporate GHG emissions are far greater in Scope 1 and 2, than nonprofits. But in INGOs, GHG emissions are far greater in Scope 3 since we heavily rely on logistics, supply chains, and other distribution methods.”
At the event, Director of Climate Change Secretariat, Leel Randeniya further elaborated on the Net Zero Carbon Emission initiatives implemented by the government.
He said, “Achieving Net-Zero means dissipating Net emission of Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere generated through our economic activities through initiatives to remove greenhouse gases (Net absorption of Carbon Dioxide). This ensures that there won’t be any Net surpass or Net emissions in the atmosphere.”
“Unfortunately, we have exceeded safe Carbon Dioxide limits due to our deliberate actions,” he said.
“When excessive amounts of Carbon get added into the atmosphere, the normal ambient temperature increases – causing natural disasters as a result of climate change”, he warned.
Vimaladhas said that World Vision Lanka intends to offset all GHG emissions, to prevent incorporating GHG contributors proactively, and to conduct operations via more sustainable means.
“As an organisation that is committed to ensuring the well-being of children – especially from disasters caused by climate change, World Vision sees this initiative as imperative."
Published on - Daily News Business
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