Two important Sri Lankan cities, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, are working to improve their climate resilience as part of the third phase of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network’s (CDKN) Accelerating Inclusive Action Programme. The Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA) has teamed up with ICLEI South Asia to create Climate Adaptation Plans specific to addressing their challenges.

As part of this programme, a seven-day visit was conducted from 20-26 January 2025. In addition to delivering capacity-building sessions for local government officials to assist them in navigating the Climate Adaptation Planning process, experts evaluated climate hazards, urban infrastructure, and municipal services.

Challenges in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy

Rapid urbanisation and the tourism explosion in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy have put tremendous strain on infrastructure, especially in waste management, water supply, and transportation, posing serious problems for both cities. Problems, including water pollution, biodiversity loss, and handling of solid and liquid waste, are common in these cities. Climate change, which causes landslides, flash floods, droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and rising temperatures, worsens these problems. 

Assessments and Capacity Building

Site evaluations throughout the visit offered insightful information about both cities’ urban services. Experts noted a significant reliance on fossil fuel-powered transportation, effective garbage collection but insufficient disposal facilities, and antiquated water supply infrastructure in Nuwara Eliya, which relies on perennial streams. Despite efforts to segregate garbage, Kandy showed comparable problems, including antiquated water infrastructure and restricted waste processing.

Training workshops were arranged in both cities to equip municipal officials with the necessary skills to plan for climate adaptation. Seventy officials participated in these seminars, which addressed important subjects like vulnerability assessment, city profiling, prioritising climate action, and implementation techniques. Case studies and interactive exercises improved the educational process and ensured that the ideas covered were applied in real-world situations.

The CDKN programme aims to enhance climate resilience and assist locally driven adaptation initiatives. This initiative marks a significant step toward improving Nuwara Eliya and Kandy’s preparedness and resilience to climate change impacts. The outcomes of this collaborative effort will be integrated into municipal resilience planning and policy frameworks, paving the way for sustainable urban development in Sri Lanka.