Eang Sophalleth, Cambodia's Minister of Environment, has announced plans to contribute to climate change by expanding the carbon credit supply chain through key sectors such as agriculture and industry. By 2050, the government believes to increase forest cover to 60% and make Cambodia a carbon-neutral country. Moreover, The Ministry of Environment unveiled the "Environmental Circular Strategy 2023-2028" to ensure environmental sustainability, respond to climate change, and promote a green economy. Natural resource and environmental management reform is one of the Pentagonal Strategy's priority tasks for Phase I (2023-2028). The Kingdom-wide campaign to plant at least one million trees and reduce plastic use has reached four million people. In other to protect natural resources and combat illegal forest land encroachment, the Ministry has implemented strict measures and strong law enforcement. The Kingdom has 73 protected areas covering a total area of 7,046,863.46 hectares. More than 130 countries, including Cambodia, signed the declaration at the 8th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), aiming to scale up adaptative measures to reduce farm business vulnerability, promote food security and nutrition, strengthen integrated water management in agriculture and food systems, and maximize climatic and environmental benefits associated with agriculture and food systems.

Reference: Sokhean, B. (2024, Jan 11). Climate Champion: Minister reveals govt’s ‘big’ ambition to help save planet. Khmer Time. Retrieved from:https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501421175/climate-champion-minister-reveals-govts-big-ambition-to-help-save-planet/