Cambodia raises emissions-cut target, urges climate finance at COP30

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.19,2015) — Cambodia urged the international community to scale up reliable and accessible climate finance as it reaffirmed its commitment to tackling global warming at the COP30 summit.

Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth told the conference’s high-level session that the government has submitted its Third Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC 3.0, to the U.N. climate secretariat.

Under the updated plan, Cambodia raised its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2035 across the energy, waste, agriculture, forestry and industrial sectors.

Sophalleth said the country is expanding nature-based solutions, restoring degraded land and strengthening forest protection while working to improve livelihoods in vulnerable communities.

He welcomed the Tropical Forest Forever Facility and the Loss and Damage Fund, calling them important mechanisms to support climate action in developing countries.

Cambodia said stronger financial backing will be essential to accelerate global efforts to address climate change.

One of Southeast Asia’s most climate-vulnerable nations, Cambodia faces increasingly severe impacts from extreme weather, including flooding and prolonged droughts.

The country relies heavily on agriculture and natural resources, leaving rural communities particularly exposed to environmental pressures.

The government has repeatedly stressed the need for greater international support to meet its long-term climate goals, citing limited financial and technical capacity as a major challenge.

Cambodia submitted its first climate plan in 2016 and has gradually expanded its commitments as global expectations for emissions reductions have grown.