Phnom Penh, December 12, 2020 –Cambodia is committed to fighting against climate change with clear and effective measures and strategies, although Cambodia has less greenhouse gas emissions at the global level.
The commitment was highlighted by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in his remarks at the “Leader-level virtual Climate Ambition Summit” held via Videoconference on Dec. 12, at the invitation of H.E. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, H.E. Sebastián Piñera Echenique, President of Chile, and H.E. Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy.
“Even though Cambodia is emitting less greenhouse gas at the global level, the country is highly committed to solving the issue depending on its capacity and available resources,” he said.
In its Nationally Determined Contributions Update (NDC Update) to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change to be submitted to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the end of this year, Cambodia has incorporated a new and specific target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38.9 MtCO2e, comprising the fields of forestry, waste and agriculture or equal to 18 percent reduction compared to Business-As-Usual scenario by the year 2030, he added.
The new target also includes 25 percent electricity generation from renewable energy in the Energy Mix by 2030, Samdech Techo Hun Sen pointed out.
“Climate change is a cross-cutting phenomenon which needs to be addressed with collective and comprehensive solution package balancing between social, economic, and environmental dimensions,” he said. “Dealing effectively with the problems caused by climate change will contribute significantly to sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in the future.”
The Cambodian Premier appealed to all countries to join hands and fulfill the respective obligations agreed in the existing strategic action plans, mechanisms, agreements in a highly responsible spirit.
“Cambodia has been committed to formulating a long-term strategy in 2021 to achieve Carbon Neutrality. To carry out the long-term strategy successfully, Cambodia calls on all developed countries to fulfill their promised obligations, both in providing financial supports and technology transfers,” he said.
This “Leader-level virtual Climate Ambition Summit” provided the platform for Parties to the UNFCCC to announce ambitious new commitments relating to (1) new more ambitious nationally determined contributions; (2) long-term strategies setting out a pathway to net zero emissions; (3) climate finance commitments and (4) ambitious adaptation plans and underlying policies.
By C. Nika
