US Ambassador Julie Chung urges immediate climate action at Sri Lanka Green Hydrogen Symposium 2023

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, stressed the urgent necessity for collaboration and proactive measures in addressing the impending climate crisis.Speaking at the Sri Lanka Green Hydrogen Symposium 2023 last week, Ambassador Chung highlighted the imminent challenges posed by climate change, citing recent severe weather events, including floods across Sri Lanka that significantly impacted communities and infrastructure. She emphasized the urgency of the upcoming decade, often referred to as “the decisive decade,” which requires ambitious efforts from global leaders, governments, and businesses to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and innovate energy solutions.

In attendance were President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara, along with key representatives from Greenstat Hydrogen and the global energy sector.

Ambassador Chung acknowledged Sri Lanka’s commitment to the Global Methane Pledge and applauded the government’s prioritization of addressing climate impact. She praised the nation’s strides toward reforming its energy sector. Highlighting the United States’ substantial domestic and international efforts to combat the climate crisis, Ambassador Chung outlined ambitious targets, including significant emission cuts by 2030 and extensive investments through programs like the Inflation Reduction Act and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience.

Detailed discussions revolved around USAID’s initiatives in Sri Lanka, emphasizing investments in renewable energy technologies, such as battery swapping stations for electric vehicles. Additionally, she highlighted collaborative efforts with Sri Lankan counterparts aimed at developing regulations for electric vehicles and charging stations.

Emphasizing the global imperative for a transition to a low-carbon future, Ambassador Chung stressed the necessity of clean energy investments in emerging economies. Citing the International Energy Agency’s estimation of $1 trillion in annual investments by 2030, she highlighted US technical support for offshore wind deployment and green hydrogen production in Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Chung underscored the economic potential of transitioning to a net-zero energy system by 2050, projecting a substantial investment boom and job creation. She encouraged collaborative projects like Constellation Energy’s hydrogen blend project in the US and expressed the US’s readiness to support financing for renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka.

In conclusion, Ambassador Chung reaffirmed the US’s commitment to partnering with Sri Lanka in combating climate change, fostering sustainable energy solutions, and contributing to a cleaner and safer world. The speech emphasized the urgent need for global action and highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential role in addressing climate change while seizing economic opportunities.