Climate change and sustainability education institution opens

The first climate change and sustainability education institution in Sri Lanka, powered by AI and IOT, opened its doors with the goal of promoting ‘green’ executives and entrepreneurs.

Clair Prakash, the founder of the Climata Academy, spearheaded this project as a collaborative effort between Climata (Pvt) Ltd and British College of Applied Studies (BCAS).

Gihan Mendis, co-founder and CEO of Engenuity AI, said that the Asian “green business opportunity,” as identified by McKinzie’s, was estimated to be worth USD 5 trillion, and that corporate contributions to the Global Environmental, Services, and Governance (ESG) fund exceeded USD 20 trillion.

“This demonstrates the potential benefits of investing in and educating about this market, and the reason we are starting this education programme is to meet the opportunity’s future expectations,” he pointed out.

“We don’t realise how quickly climate change is happening, but it is real.” Adding to that, Ms Prakash said that this is the first educational institution of its kind devoted to climate change and sustainability education using contemporary technology.

Education is the most crucial component of the puzzle, as combating climate change necessitates a multifaceted strategy. The goal is to form a better society with the knowledge, abilities, and resources they need to address climate change mitigation, she added.

Utilising cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) tools, this ambitious project aims at preparing the next generation of learners for urgent environmental issues through real-world, hands-on learning via subjects including climate smart agriculture, climate smart aquaculture, sustainable finance, sustainable marketing, and corporate sustainability.

Launching the Climate Academy is a major step forward in the nation’s efforts to combat climate change, according to BCAS NonExecutive Chairman Rajendra Theagaraja.

He expressed satisfaction with the growing adoption of technology by rural youth in the agricultural industry.

“Sri Lankan education investments and generational empowerment are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable future for all,” Mr Theagaraja asserted.