Colombo is heating up! Over the past 20 years, rising concrete and shrinking greenery have pushed temperatures in the city’s built-up areas up by nearly 4°C. With this growing heat challenge, the message is clear: our city needs more green.
That’s where Grey2Green steps in.
Dilmah Conservation, together with the United Nations Global Compact Sri Lanka, launched Grey2Green; a fresh, citizen-led movement that invites everyone from university students to office teams, neighbourhood groups, and institutions to turn underused “grey” corners of the city into living, breathing green spaces.
It’s more than just a tree-planting campaign. It’s a grassroots greening movement powered by people.
Grey2Green encourages the public to transform rooftops, abandoned land, industrial plots, and neglected urban patches into pockets of biodiversity, focusing on, Urban forestry, Plant ecology, Landscape design, Ecosystem management.
All to ensure that every green space created isn’t just beautiful — it’s ecologically meaningful and sustainable.
Inspired by the One Earth Urban Arboretum
One of the strongest inspirations behind this movement is the One Earth Urban Arboretum at our Moratuwa Centre — once an industrial waste site, now home to over 300 trees and shrubs. The transformation stands as a powerful reminder that even the most degraded spaces can be revived with science, care, and community effort.
Grey2Green aims to replicate this model across Colombo and its suburbs, one restored space at a time.
Event Highlights
To spark conversation, the event began with an interactive Mentimeter quiz, inviting the audience to share their perceptions of urban greening.
The responses helped set the tone, making it clear that people are ready, eager, and passionate about reimagining their city.
Messages from the Experts
The speakers shared insights that grounded the movement in both science and heart.
Dr. Jagath Gunawardana, environmental lawyer, reminded us that green spaces are refuges for both wildlife and people.
“If we stop seeing green, we will slowly lose our balance. Nature is not a luxury. It is a necessity.”
Dr. Himesh Jayasinghe, plant taxonomist, highlighted the need for the right plants, the right planning, and strong community involvement.
“Everyone wants green spaces, but we must also protect them. Leave only footprints.”
Dr. Ajith Gunawardena from the Central Environmental Authority emphasized that urban greening is already a national priority, and young people and volunteers will play a crucial role in monitoring and stewardship.
Treshan Galappathy of UNGC Sri Lanka connected Grey2Green to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) — reminding us that urban greening is a local action with global impact.
Join the Movement
Grey2Green is an invitation to co-create a Colombo where trees cool our streets, birds return to our skies, and communities thrive in healthier, happier spaces.
Whether you’re a student, a neighbourhood group, an office, or simply someone who loves this city, you can be part of the change.
Contact Dilmah Conservation to get involved:
📞 011 4 822 490 / 216
