Environment minister Eang Sophalleth delivers the keynote address at the launch of the fifth report of the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey, held in Singapore on September 17. Environment ministry
The alarming effects of climate change are exacerbating heat waves, while causing unprecedented storms and prolonged droughts, said Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth, during his keynote address on Cambodia’s perspective on climate change mitigation at a regional seminar, held in Singapore on September 17.
The event served as the launch of the fifth report of the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey, produced by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute on the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme.
“Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, is at the forefront of this crisis, as the effects of climate change could devastate economic development and endanger the lives of millions,” said Sophalleth, adding that, Cambodia, along with other ASEAN countries, has stepped up its climate ambitions in an effort to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees.
The minister highlighted the strategies laid out by the Cambodian government, as well as the policies of his ministry, to respond to climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
He noted that these include the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-2028 and the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP) 2024-2033, in addition to other measures and frameworks.
He added that Cambodia is contributing to solving global problems, including updating the National Contribution Plan (NDC) 3.0, which would further strengthen Cambodia's commitment to climate change by setting more ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and efforts in striving to adapt to climate change.
Cambodia is also pushing for a long-term strategy for becoming a carbon-neutral country by 20250. This strategy is not only a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also a vision for a sustainable future.
“Many other measures have been put in place to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, protect forests and promote sustainable agriculture. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is not just an environmental goal. It's a path to economic resilience and social equity,” he said.
He added that the challenge for Cambodia, as well as many other countries in Southeast Asia, is to strengthen economic growth with the need to reduce fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions in other sectors, including energy, transportation and agriculture.
Regarding the issue of global warming as well as climate change, the environment ministry celebrated World Ozone Day, held under the theme “Montreal Protocol: Promoting Climate Action”, on September 16.
A discussion forum, which included the participation of students as well as other young people, was held to raise awareness of the issue, especially substances which cause the destruction of the ozone layer, a shield that protects the Earth against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Ministry undersecretary of state Pak Sokharavuth told the forum attendees that there are many substances in air conditioners, such as hydrochlorofluoro carbons (HCFCs), which are widely used today.
“These substances are widely used in our home air conditioners and some are used in refrigerators. We need to understand that they make a substantial contribution to global warming,” he warned.
He said the HCFCs should be completely eliminated by 2030, but because they remain necessary, developing countries were allowed to be at 2.5 percent of the current base level. For Cambodia, the level is about 270 tonnes per year. The Kingdom has made excellent progress in reducing its use of them, and today Cambodia uses about 100 tonnes per year.
“We have reduced our use by lot. We hope that we will be able to completely eliminate them before 2030. It is imperative that we make significant contributions to the universe in preventing global warming as well as preventing ozone depletion” he added.
