Tracking the progress on Cambodia’s energy efficiency policy

In the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the end of 2020, Cambodia targets a 42% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 relative to the Business as Usual (BAU) level in 2016. Energy sector is targeted to reduce its sectoral emission by 40% in 2030. In the longer term, Cambodia aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 through its Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN), which focuses on reducing carbon emissions from the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU), energy, and industry sectors. The LTS4CN policy sets a target of 66% emission reduction for the energy sector in 2050, which is higher than the target set in the updated NDC.

These two policies show more ambitious efforts by Cambodia in reducing its carbon intensity compared to previously announced national commitment. Cambodia more ambitious efforts in reducing carbon intensity are in line with the regional target in energy intensity reduction as stated under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 with encouraging further energy efficiency (EE) and conservation efforts. In light of intensifying efforts on energy efficiency, ASEAN has also endorsed several policies to support EE implementation on electrical appliance usage in the residential sector, including the Regional Policy Roadmap on Harmonization of Energy Performance Standards for Lighting, the Regional Policy Roadmap on Harmonization of Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners, and the Guidelines of Integration of Energy Efficiency into ASEAN Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

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This op-ed was published in the Phnom Penh Post. The original article can be found here.