PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Environment Say Sam Al has confirmed to the international community that Cambodia is all set to combat climate change and not only that, also committed to reduce its carbon footprint, reducing its energy use and increasing energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy and use 15 percent of its solar energy. The Kingdom is committed too for not building a new coal-fired power plants, or build hydropower dams along the Mekong River, will reduce deforestation by mid-2030. The minister has made the statement of commitment on climate change at the 26th Summit of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glascow, United Kingdom on Wednesday.

Mr. Say Sam Al also pointed out that climate change is a global issue and it is the responsibility of all countries around the world to properly address it. He has called for an increase in international climate finance for the most climate-vulnerable countries so that they could increase their resilience to climate change. He has urged all developed countries to increase their contribution to the financial mechanisms under the Convention and to further facilitate access to these funds directly.

The statement of the Minister of Environment is a response to the past concerns of some observers that the government plans to build a dam in Sambo district, Kratie province, across the Mekong River. Cambodia has set a goal of reducing emissions by 43 percent by 2030. In addition, Cambodia is developing a long-term carbon-neutral development strategy to promote low-carbon activities, climate resilience and environmental development.