Cambodia Circular economy strategy launched

The government has launched its circular economy strategy to meet the present challenges the nation faces regarding the surge in material and energy demand driven by a growing economy and population.  A circular economy strategy is a plan that aims to eliminate waste and unbridled use of resources.

Dubbed the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan, it has been launched by the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE), with support from Sweden, Japan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).  It will also serve as a platform to engage the private sector in the transition towards a circular economy.

Cambodia’s growing economy and population have led to a surge in the use of materials and energy, and similar to other countries, this has created new challenges in sustainably managing natural resources, the environment, energy and waste, according to a press release issued yesterday.

“The Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan [aims] to create a win-win solution to the present challenges. Instead of simply extracting, consuming and disposing of materials, the strategy seeks to close the loop of the entire value chain and maintain the value of materials for as long as possible,” said Say Samal, chair of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Minister of Environment.

Samal highlighted the importance of these efforts, concluding that “an effective implementation of the Circular Economy Strategy will ensure a green, clean and safe future for all in Cambodia.”

According to a UNDP 2019 report, the plastic waste problem in Cambodia is complex; however, as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, finding a solution is a necessity.

In Phnom Penh alone, around 10 million plastic bags are used on a daily basis. Small-to-medium enterprises are the driving force behind Cambodia’s growing economy, but the densely populated service sector encourages large scale distribution and consumption of convenient and cheap plastic products.

“The circular economy has a strong potential to spark positive social and environmental change and to create new economic values and diversified employment opportunities. It can guide sustainable development pathways for countries at all income levels, including Cambodia,” commented Nick Beresford, resident representative of UNDP Cambodia.

To make the vision for a circular economy requires leadership from the government and active involvement of the private sector, households, individuals and all other stakeholders, said Björn Häggmark, Sweden’s Ambassador to Cambodia.

In recognition of the key role of the private sector to accelerate the transition to the circular economy, a private sector platform to share information on implementable measures and actions was introduced along with the new strategy.

Source: KhmerTimes