“SLASSCOM & the EU EEPEx Project launch Carbon Footprinting initiative for IT/BPO Sector”

SLASSCOM and the EU Switch Asia funded EEPEx Project held an awareness workshop on 16th August 2011 to launch a carbon footprinting initiative for the IT/BPO sector.
A carbon footprint can help organisations save money, improve market positioning and provide competitive advantages to access clients & export markets through low carbon products/services.
The workshop provided insights into carbon footprint definitions, international standards & business benefits. Successful industry case studies from the EU EEPEx project were also presented. An interactive discussion between the panel, participating industries & SLASSCOM board members followed. Forthcoming activities will include:

•    A Training workshop for industry staff

•    A carbon footprint reduction programme for industries who sign up to the EEPEx project

The workshop was held at the Dialog Axiata Future World Auditorium at T. B Jaya Mawatha, Colombo 10. Panelists/presenters from the EEPEx project included: Mr HS Premachandra (EEPEx Project Director), Dr Channa Gunawardena (Director Megaskills UK/International expert) & Mr Asanka Premathillake (Engineer ITI).
The workshop was coordinated by Mrs Sandra De Zoysa, Roshan & team from SLASSCOM. Mr Jehan Perinpanayagam, CEO of Infomate (Pvt) Ltd & board member of SLASSCOM initiated the workshop.

EEPEX Hosts Forum, Sustainable Production: The Key to Industry Survival

The EEPEx project hosted its second Sustainable Production Forum on 19th May 2011 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The Forum was titled Sustainable Production: The Key to Industry Survival.

The Chief Guest was the Honourable Mrs Pavithra Wanniarachchi (Attorney-at-law) Minister of Technology & Research of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Guest of Honour was His Excellency Mr Bernard Savage, Ambassador of the European Union’s Delegation to Sri Lanka & Maldives. The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Suren Batagoda, Director General of the National Planning Department.

Other attendees included Secretary Minister of Technology & Research Attorney at law Mrs Dhara Wijetillake, EU Programme Officer Mrs Harshini Halangode, Additional Secretary Ministry of Industries & Commerce Mr Asitha Seneviratne, Chairman ITI Prof Vijaya Kumar, Director/CEO ITI Dr AM Mubarak, Project Director EEPEx Mr HS Premachandra, Dr Channa Gunawardena Director Megaskills Research UK, Mr Ralf Opierzinsky Head of Office Thailand Fraunhofer IFF, Mr Gerry Suraweera Project Manager Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The forum included over 10 presentations on cutting edge environmental management and pollution control tools and industry case studies. The presenters included international experts from Megaskills Research UK and Fraunhofer IFF Germany, national experts from ITI and industry representatives. Presentations were organised in the follow session themes:

THEME 1 - NEW HORIZONS FOR INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT: Current Status & Emerging Tools
THEME 2 - COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:  Through Cutting Edge Resource Management
THEME 3 - REDUCING YOUR LIABILITIES: Business and Pollution Control

Session chairpersons includes: Professor Ajith De Alwis (Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, Moratuwa University), Mrs Ramani Ellepola (Director General Central Environmental Authority) and Mr Surath Amarasena (Deputy Director National Cleaner Production Centre).

Over 150 participants attended the forum including senior government officials, industry, academia, NGOs and staff from ITI.
 
For further information please contact the EEPEx project office on Tel: 011-2379861; email: iraeuswitch@iti.lk