Climate change targets aim high
The Ministry of Environment submitted an ambitious national climate change plan to the United Nations on 1 October ahead of scheduled climate talks in Paris (COP 21), though observers questioned the plan’s feasibility given a lack of both funding and political will.
According to Sao Sopheap, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment’s Climate Change Department, the plan – known as the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) – while not legally binding, represents a “commitment” to “join the international community’s fight against climate change”.
The INDC proposes to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 27 per cent from the projected levels for 2030 were the status quo simply maintained. Promoting a renewable energy grid, sustainable manufacturing as well as low-emission vehicles are identified as mitigation strategies.
Additionally, “Cambodia intends to undertake voluntary and conditional actions to achieve the target of increasing forest cover to 60% of national land area by 2030”.
