PROJECT BACKGROUND

Cambodia is consistently ranked among the top ten countries most vulnerable to Climate Change, and among the three most vulnerable in Asia. This is due in large part to a relatively low adaptive capacity. Efforts made in recent years have allowed Cambodia to develop a comprehensive plan for the climate change response (Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2014-23), as well as the corresponding key sector plans. Key governmental and non-governmental institutions have also had the opportunity to manage their first climate change projects, on a pilot basis.

The CCCA-II builds on the achievements of the first phase (2010-14) and aims to strengthen national systems and capacities to support the implementation and coordination of Cambodia’s climate change response. CCCA is a partnership between UNDP, the European Union and the Swedish Government. It is anchored to the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) and managed by its Climate Change Department.

Key areas of intervention include climate change legal framework, national and sectoral monitoring and evaluation frameworks for climate change, testing and dissemination of adaptation/mitigation approaches, strengthening of planning and budgeting systems for the mainstreaming of climate change finance, and support to research, development and learning on climate change.

KEY EXPECTED RESULTS

The project was completed in June 2019, and focused on the following three results:

[1] Strengthening the governance of climate change (monitoring and evaluation framework, legal framework, institutional arrangements);

[2] Public and private, domestic and external resources oriented in support of the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan vision (climate-responsive planning and budgeting at national and subnational levels, policy dialogue with private sector and other partners); and

[3] Human and technological capital developed for the climate change response (research and development grants, curriculum development, linking academia and practitioners, knowledge management system on climate change).

ACHIEVEMENTS

A Climate Change Technical Working Group (CC-TWG) was officially established by the Prakas by the Minister of Environment and Chair of the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) on 05 May 2017. The CC-TWG brings together all government agencies involved in the climate change response and meets four times per year, including at least two sessions with development partners. It reviews progress in the implementation of Cambodia’s Climate Change Strategic Plan, and serves as a forum for coordination and policy dialogue.

Fourteen Ministries and state agencies have received CCCA grants for a total budget of USD 3,550,000. These initiatives cover a wide range of adaptation and mitigation activities, from water and sanitation to education, and from resilient infrastructures to health services and agriculture.

A study on Climate Economic Growth Impact Model for Cambodia was successfully completed and endorsed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the NCSD. The study indicated that in the absence of additional adaptation action, Cambodia’s GDP would be almost 10% lower than planned by 2050 due to climate change.

New teaching materials on climate change for high school (grade 10 to 12) were developed as part of the cooperation between the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport and General Secretariat of National Council for Sustainable Development.

Eight research and innovation grants have been funded. These projects include renewable energy solutions for pig farms (medium-scale bio-digesters), climate-smart conservation agriculture solutions for lowland farmers (cover crops), renewable energy (rice husk) and energy efficiency technologies for garment industry, and support for agriculture cooperatives, solar energy solutions and access to markets in remote vulnerable communities. A review of key lessons learnt from CCCA grants is available here (see attached documents, which can be linked).

Ministry of Economy and Finance and several key line ministries received support to better integrate climate change in the national budget. Climate change has been reflected as a priority in the budget circular since 2017 with CCCA support, and ministries of Public Works and Transport and Rural Development have been able to negotiate increased budget allocations for climate-change related activities.

CCCA supported the developmentof an upgraded website and cliamte change data portal for the National Council for Sustainable Development. The website can be accessed at www.ncsd.moe.gov.kh/dcc

For more photos, see our Flickr album