Phnom Penh, Cambodia, August 29, 2024 – The Ministry of Environment and Global Green Growth Institute hosted the Dissemination Workshop for Operations Manual for the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in Cambodia. The workshop showcased Cambodia’s Article 6 Operations Manual, outlining its advantages as well as increasing key stakeholders’ understanding on the institutions and processes for authorization of GHG Emission Reduction projects under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

Cambodia’s ambitious climate targets outlined in the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality are backed by innovative solutions designed to decarbonize the country’s priority sectors. However, these mitigation efforts require significant financial resources, making Article 6 crucial for securing international cooperation. With a proper governance framework, Cambodia will be able to mitigate its risks associated with trading and maximizing benefits in-terms of investment flow, technology transfer, incentivizing private sector engagement and meeting its sustainable development targets.

In his opening remark, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, emphasized the importance of the Operations Manual in facilitating flow of much needed climate finance into the country to implement innovative mitigation activities.

The “Operations Manual for the Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Cambodia” was endorsed by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in December 2023. The Operations Manual, a joint effort by the Ministry of Environment and GGGI, is a crucial framework for Cambodia’s participation in Article 6 cooperation. It enables collaboration between countries to implement their NDCs.

Ms. Shomi Kim, GGGI Cambodia Country Representative, said, ‘Article 6 cooperation upholds integrity in the carbon market while ensuring cost-effectiveness in accelerating global carbon mitigation targets. Cambodia is one of the few countries with a governance framework in place to facilitate trade under the Article 6 framework, demonstrating strong readiness for carbon trading under this framework.”

Approximately 180 participants, including government officials, development partners, and private sector representatives, attended the workshop. Following presentation on the structure of the Operations Manual by Ms. Anantaa Pandey, GGGI Cambodia’s Senior Program Officer, a panel discussion was held to address questions and discuss the implications of the framework established.

GGGI began its support to Cambodia through Ministry of Environment in their Article 6 readiness under Mobilizing Article 6 Trading Structure (MATS) project in 2021. Through cooperation with the General Directorate for Policy and Strategy of the Ministry of Environment, Department of Climate Change (GDPS/DCC), GGGI provided a series of training and facilitated discussions on decisions on Article 6 Operations Manual to the Royal Government of Cambodia. GGGI continues to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in translating the Operations Manual into action and potentially realize the country’s first trade with potential buyer countries including Republic of Korea.