Hambantota, the Candidate City for Commonwealth Games in 2018

Sustainability

To support Hambantota’s bid for the Games, and the masterplan development, a Games Environment Technical Committee (GETC) has been established. Chaired by the Chairman of the CEA, it comprises representatives from all the main agencies within the Ministry of Environment and the various bodies responsible for the planning and development of the site including the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Water Board and Ceylon Electricity Board.

The main purpose of the GETC is to provide best practice guidance on sustainable development and environmental protection, ensuring all the key stakeholders are engaged in the plans. As the planning develops, the GETC will also incorporate stakeholders from the various public-private partnerships and private sector organisations involved in the masterplan, representing organisations such as:

• Private sector members of Tourist Board
• The local chambers of commerce
• The Hoteliers Association
• A number of leading international hotel and resort operators.

At Games-time, the GETC will form part of the Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee (OC) structure. Its main responsibility will be the promotion of desired sustainable urban design, environmental protection initiatives and engagement with the various environment and sustainability stakeholders.

The Games project is committed to providing maximum protection of the environment by minimising the possible environmental impact of hosting the Games. Indeed, it will use its preparations for the Games as a catalyst to implement and enhance good practice environmental and sustainability principles and will provide a best practice approach to inform and guide future development projects across Sri Lanka.

The GETC has identified four overarching themes to guide the OC’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

• Delivering sustainable urban development
  The National Physical Planning Policy and Plan for 2006 – 2030 sets out the long term vision for Sri Lanka, including the sustainable development of the District through a network of cities, towns and villages connected by efficient infrastructure that facilitates economic growth and contributes to reducing social and economic disparities.
  The Games Park concept has been designed with the above vision in mind and represents an integration of design and construction strategies for land use, transport, energy provision, ecology and socioeconomic conditions to maximise sustainability.


• Promoting environmental health and protection
  The District is blessed with many environmentally significant areas that are sensitive to adverse environmental impacts. All such areas have been identified and are protected as part of the GHSEA. The CEA and its environmental partners will ensure that the plans and strategies identified in the GHSEA and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are enforced, in order to mitigate against identified impacts.
  The development of Hambantota including the Games Park, provides a long term balance between environmental conservation, development and economic production and includes soft landscaping to provide a network of biodiversity and green spaces.


• Pioneering environmental technology and sustainable energy practices in South Asia
  In line with Government policy and plans, 10% of the national electricity grid is to be provided by ‘new’ renewable energy sources by 2016. To support these sustainable energy priorities, numerous wind, solar, oceanic, mini hydro, geothermal and biogas energy projects have been identified and are soon to be commissioned.
  All venues within the Games Park will also be designed in line with enhanced Games-specific Energy Efficiency Building Codes (EEBC) to complete design, construction and operations with minimal energy consumption and without compromising the venue’s function. It is Hambantota’s aim that 20% of Games-time energy demands are met through renewable energy sources and best practice energy conservation techniques.


• Promoting environmental awareness and understanding
  The CEA and SLSEA are currently leading on a number of environmental awareness programmes. As key stakeholders in the GETC and the proposed Environment Enforcement Unit, they will drive programmes to promote environmental awareness across the regional and national school and business sectors through the introduction of Games-specific sustainable procurement practices.

The initial environmental impact assessments and other relevant studies must be presented to the CGF Evaluation Commission during its visit. The Government’s proactive approach to environmental protection and sustainable development has led to numerous environmental assessments and plans to ensure sustainable growth. The completion of EIA’s is now a legal requirement for most development projects (as stated under provisions of Part IV C of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980 as stipulated in Gazette (Extra Ordinary) No 772/22 dated June 24, 1993).

In addition, the completion of a Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) ensures that the cumulative impacts of numerous projects across a wider area are taken into account. Given the scale of the GHDP, the planned work has been assessed as a whole rather than independently.

The GHSEA has guided the proposed development across the region, whilst conserving its unique environmental features and ensuring that the environmental impacts of the plan are addressed at a strategic level.

The GHSEA ensures that there will be no conflicts regarding resource utilisation, either directly or indirectly, or as a result of synergistic or cumulative effects, which would aggravate negative impacts. It has identified the socio-environmental impacts of the proposed development plans early on in the planning stages. Proposed corrective actions to avoid or mitigate negative impacts of the development have been identified and measures to enhance the social and environmental benefits have been implemented.

The CEA-approved GHSEA Zoning Plan considered the geographical, demographical, political and social factors relevant to the area and was used to inform the GHDP.

The proposed Games Park site, which is the location for the Commonwealth Games Village, Main Media Centre and all expect one permanent build competition venue, is in an area earmarked for future capital investment, surrounded by an area allocated for residential use. As confirmation that the designated Games Park site is a suitable location for development, a letter of support has been provided by the Chairman of the CEA .

An initial impact considerations paper highlighted that there are no major environmental concerns. Further details of the EIA for the proposed Games Park will be made available during the CGF Evaluation Commission visit and will be presented in parallel with the strategic issues addressed through the GHSEA.

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