Sri Lanka is making strides to revitalize its National Green Reporting System (NGRS), aiming to enhance corporate environmental disclosures and align businesses with global ESG standards, advancing its carbon neutral strategy. Introduced in 2011, the NGRS has been largely dormant due to its outdated structure, but now, with the support of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the government is reviewing the framework to increase participation and improve sustainability reporting by 2030. 

In Sri Lanka, corporate environmental reporting is shaped by two key frameworks: the mandatory Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standards (SLFRS) for publicly listed companies, and the voluntary NGRS, which aims to integrate ESG metrics into local businesses, particularly in manufacturing and services sectors. While the SLFRS has been mandatory since this year, the NGRS has struggled to gain traction. Despite over 150 companies registering for NGRS, its limited recognition and outdated approach compared to global frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have hindered its effectiveness. 

The NGRS is now under review to better integrate global best practices while simplifying the reporting process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs make up a significant portion of Sri Lanka’s economy, but they face challenges in sustainability compliance due to limited resources and expertise. By making the NGRS more accessible, Sri Lanka hopes to encourage SMEs to adopt carbon neutral strategies and participate in environmental reporting. The new framework would provide SMEs with easy-to-use tools and training, enabling them to collect vital data, meet growing sustainability demands, and align with larger supply chains’ ESG goals. 

This revitalized NGRS has the potential to serve as a local solution that balances simplicity with global relevance, bridging the gap between international standards and the realities of local businesses. Through these updates, Sri Lanka aims to ensure that companies of all sizes are equipped to engage in carbon neutral strategies, fostering a more sustainable, resilient economy while contributing to global environmental goals. 

Sources: 

https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/02/02/business/43972/reviving-the-national-green-reporting-system-in-sri-lanka/ 

https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Amendmend%20to%20the%20Updated%20Nationally%20Determined%20Contributions%20of%20Sri%20Lanka.pdf