The government has announced the implementation of its new Circular Environmental Strategy (CES) 2023-28, set to launch on November 15. The approach emphasises three main priorities – cleanliness, greenness and sustainability – aiming to guide Cambodia towards carbon neutrality.

Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth highlighted the plan’s endorsement by Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Cambodia Climate Change Summit 2023 (CCCS23), held on November 3 in Siem Reap.

The initiative aims to address environmental issues more effectively, enhancing quality of life and fostering sustainable development. 

According to the ministry, the ultimate goal is to elevate the Kingdom to an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

The CES aligns with the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I and is grounded in existing national policies and international conventions. Its objective is to orient and direct works towards ensuring environmental sustainability and perfection, responding to climate change and promoting a green economy.

The strategy, as outlined by the ministry, adopts a circular approach, focusing on three core areas: policy enhancement for digital administration, information dissemination and driving three complementary strategies.

The first of the supplementary methods concentrates on pollution control and modernising environmental impact assessments. The second focuses on expanding tree plantation initiatives, managing natural protected areas and enhancing local community livelihoods. The third emphasises sustainability through compliance, cooperation and facilitating growth.

In line with the CES, the ministry has launched a nationwide campaign to reduce plastic use, titled “Today I do not use plastic bags”. The campaign has garnered support from schools, development partners, factory owners and the Cambodian Red Cross and has engaged over 2.6 million students.

To effectively manage natural resources and conserve biodiversity, the ministry has implemented four measures: strict enforcement of laws against natural resource crimes, collaboration with local authorities to prevent such crimes, partnership with the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and the National Gendarmerie Command, to strengthen law enforcement and developing tree planting plans for reforestation and sustainable forest management.

On October 10, Sophalleth announced the distribution of 1.3 million saplings annually to individuals willing to plant and nurture the trees. The initiative is part of a broader effort to increase the Kingdom’s forest coverage to 60 per cent by 2050.