Background
Air pollution is one of the threats to the health of over 16 million citizens in the Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia. As in other developing countries, economic growth has also driven an increase in air pollutant emissions. Based on the Cambodia Clean Air Plan launched in early 2022, the largest sources of air pollutants are the transport, industry, residential and waste sectors, and electricity generation, industrial process emissions and charcoal making also contribute the pollution for some specific pollutants.
Cambodia is not heavily industrialized country and most of the industries are garment factories which are located within or near Phnom Penh. Cambodia's garment sector is a key driver of economic growth, contributing significantly to employment and export revenues. However, the garment industry faces increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from boiler operations which are a major source of air pollution. There is a need to further increase understanding on the scale of emissions from boiler operations in garment factories and jointly identify and develop interventions to increase efficiency in operations and reduce pollution.
It would also be critical to identify opportunities to finance such clean air interventions. Based on UNEP’s analysis, a lack of resources has led to a limited uptake of measures to reduce emissions of pollutants across key economic sectors; an inability to invest in data analysis; and a lack of enforcement and implementation capacity.
Objectives
This workshop aims to present the findings of a recent boiler emission assessment conducted in garment factories across Cambodia and to explore opportunities under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) framework to engage the private sector in clean air and climate interventions. The specific objectives of the workshop include:
- Presenting the results of boiler air pollution emission assessment: Share findings from the assessment conducted in garment factories, highlighting key emission sources, levels, and potential areas for improvement.
- Introducing JCM and opportunity for clean air interventions to be supported: Provide an overview of the JCM, its mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and how it can facilitate investment in emission reduction technologies.
- Engaging with industry and private sector: Foster dialogue among stakeholders, including factory owners, industry associations, and policymakers, to explore potential JCM projects and encourage private sector participation in sustainable initiatives.
The expected outcomes from the workshop include:
- Enhanced understanding of boiler emissions in the garment sector.
- Increased awareness of the JCM framework among industry stakeholders.
- Identification of potential collaborative projects under the JCM.
- Strengthened partnerships between government and industry for sustainable development.
