Cambodia is committed to increasing greenery by planting more than 1 million trees annually, with the goal of achieving 60 percent forest cover by 2050.
The commitment was announced by H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Cambodian Minister of Environment, at the World Forum on Buildings and Climate Change, organised in France last week by the United Nations Environment Programm (UNEP) and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of the French Republic, according to the ministry’s news release issued on Mar. 11.
During the event, H.E. Minister Eang Sophalleth stated that Cambodia has developed and implemented a long-term development strategy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment, made after COP28, to increase its use of renewable energy to 70 percent by 2030 through the ASEAN Green Deal Initiative for the Future. ASEAN Green aims to create a resilient and sustainable environment.
Presently, Cambodia is addressing the environmental impact of the construction sector and climate change. To this end, Cambodia has formulated and begun implementing the Environmental Chakra Strategy 2023-2028, which focuses on three pillars: ‘Clean, Green, and Sustainable,’ aimed at ensuring cleanliness and greenery throughout Cambodia, particularly in housing, industry, and construction enterprises, along with proper waste management.
Furthermore, H.E. Minister Eang Sophalleth emphasised that Cambodia has launched a public awareness campaign to educate the people about the environmental impact of construction activities. This campaign includes promoting energy efficiency, reducing plastic usage, and advocating for the adoption of green building standards, among other initiatives.
