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In response to water scarcity in Sri Lanka, the government is implementing strategies such as rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, wastewater treatment and desalination. Initial efforts include the establishment of a desalination plant in Jaffna, with additional plans for the dry zones (DZ). The study aims to comprehensively identify the barriers to establishing desalination plants in the DZ and provide recommendations to mitigate these barriers. Additionally, this research provides valuable insights aimed at minimizing barriers to the construction of future desalination plants within Sri Lanka.

The study used qualitative methods, using an expert survey to identify current and future barriers, along with strategies for overcoming them. The collected data were analysed using the template analysis technique.

Regarding desalination plant establishment, various barriers such as high capital costs, high energy expenses, brine discharge, pollution, emissions, technical challenges, health concerns and waste disposal have been identified. However, specific strategies exist to address and mitigate each of these obstacles.

The study offers recommendations to environmental experts and government on expediting the approval procedures for desalination plants in Sri Lanka’s DZ. Adapted to Sri Lanka’s specific challenges, it highlights strategies and barriers essential for upcoming desalination projects. Furthermore, it emphasizes the financial advantages such as increased production and job creation resulting from establishing desalination facilities.

Through this study, promoting sustainable practices and fostering community involvement, it aims to enhance livelihoods, accelerate economic development and improve overall well-being through reliable access to water. Additionally, the study aims to enhance understanding of the importance of desalination in alleviating water scarcity, promoting community engagement and ultimately facilitating improved living conditions, health outcomes and economic opportunities in Sri Lanka’s DZs.

This study provides crucial direction for decision-makers by highlighting the main barriers to the establishment of desalination plants in Sri Lanka and outlining practical solutions. Implementing these strategies helps meet the region’s increasing water demands, advance sustainable water management, improve the standard of living for nearby communities and promote the socioeconomic development of desalination plants in Sri Lanka’s DZ.

The demand for green personal care products (GPPs) has been growing globally due to increasing health-care concerns. However, the purchase rate of these products among consumers remains low. This study aims to identify and model the key barriers to the purchase of GPPs.

For this purpose, the study used innovation resistance theory (IRT) as a framework to identify key barriers to the purchasing of GPPs. The barriers were identified through a systematic literature review and validated by industry and academia experts. Furthermore, using interpretive structural modelling and Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée a un Classement, the study identifies the interrelationships among the barriers and categorizes them based on their driving and dependence power.

The findings reveal that limited availability, improper labelling standard and certification, poor performance of products and lack of government regulations are key barriers to the purchase of GPPs.

The study contributes to the existing literature on green purchase behaviour. Furthermore, it informs marketing strategies to overcome the identified barriers and increase the purchase of GPPs.

This study is the foremost empirical study that identifies and analyses the industry specific barriers to GPPs based on experts’ input and under the purview of IRT.