Cambodia has actively contributed to the global community to combat climate change since becoming a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1996, after its ratification of the Convention in 1995. Since then, Cambodia has ratified key UNFCCC agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 and the Paris Agreement in 2017, and has submitted in 2015 its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC).
Annually, Cambodian delegations adhering to a principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities” participate in global negotiations which take place under the Conference of the Parties and other forums. Cambodia’s implementation of the UNFCCC’s Decisions has resulted in strengthen reporting mechanisms on the status of climate change response in the country. So far, Cambodia has submitted with two National Communications to UNFCC and is preparing its Third National Communication as well as the first Biennial Update Report (BUR) and establishing the Greenhouse Gas Inventory System (GHGI).
As a member state of ASEAN, Cambodia has cooperated with other member states to address collectively climate change issues of key importance to the region, having already hosted an ASEAN summit on climate change.
By participating in wider global and regional dialogues, Cambodia not only can contribute to the worldwide effort to address climate change, but it can also tap into opportunities for the country to receive more financial and technical support to implement adaptation and mitigations projects, including those in the forestry sector (REDD+), as well as to receive support for capacity building efforts, research and technology development, and improvement of climate change education and dissemination programs.
