Abstract:
As 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced by the United
Nations are being concerned by the Sri Lankan government, ‘sustainable
development’ has become a buzz word in many organizations in Sri Lanka.
Therefore, sustainable practices have become a timely concern and as a
positive result, they can be evident as a growing tendency in many Higher
Educational Institutes including SLIDA. Accordingly, the sole objective of
this study was to identify the sustainable practices in SLIDA. As such, the data
required for this survey was gathered through self-observation and interviews
conducted with randomly selected 21 officers attached to the institute.
Accordingly, nine strategic sustainable practices could be identified namely
standardization in processes and practices by following Environmental
Management Policy and 3R concept; efficient use of energy sources (solar
energy, maximum use of daylight for indoor quality, water conservation,
energy-saving methods); waste management in a resource center; composting
and organic fertilizer; green space management (gardening & cultivation);
sustainable productivity (biogas); environmental consciousness and
awareness; paperless environment and resource sharing library practices.
Apart from that, the staff has a great concern about the concept and their
responsibility to achieve the green goal of the institution. On the circumstances
of these practices, SLIDA was rewarded with Green Energy Champion Award
- 2018 and Presidential Environment Award - 2019 “Silver Winner” under the
Government Institutional Category. All these practices and honors depict the
contribution of SLIDA as a government institute to achieve SDGs in Sri Lanka
by enhancing not only environmental benefits but economic benefits and
social benefits as well.
