The research project on the impacts of heat stress on Cambodia’s economy granted by the CCCA3 was implemented since July 2020. The project, led by the Institute of Technology of Cambodia ITC), aims to adapt the impact of climate change through improving productivity and prevent productivity due to heat stress in three sectors: education, construction and textile.

In January 2022, an awareness-raising workshop on Heat Stress in Cambodia (HSC) was organized to improve awareness and strengthen the cooperation between ministries, the private sector, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders regarding the challenges of increasing temperature. The workshop also provided technical support to the research project particularly in terms of understanding of the impacts of heat stress and distributing the initial results of the research.

At the workshop, a lot of new and fresh information about heat stress was provided and the discussions catalyzed and provided significant inputs for conducting of the research. Moreover, the expected challenges and cooperation opportunity to address the research gaps have been discussed between the ITC and private entities.

In February 2022 following the project work plan, the ITC research team conducted a field work in three garment factories located in Phnom Penh. More than 400 garment workers were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires and body measurements to assess the perceived health and productivity impacts of the heat on garment workers were taken.

During the field work, the factory owners showed their support to the research team. The selected workers also actively participated in the interviews. The ITC research team followed the COVID-19 precautions with reasonable survey procedures. Next, the ITC research team will continue their field work in construction sites and schools and the initial findings of the research will be presented in the second Heat Stress Workshop to be organized soon.