The National Cooling Action Plan Methodology was jointly developed by ESCAP, in partnership with UNEP under the framework of the Cool Coalition and with the support of Energy Foundation China.
The methodology was piloted in the Kingdom to support the Ministry of Environment in identifying climate-friendly and low-energy cooling pathways.
Talking about the significance of the policy, Neth Pheaktra, Secretary of State and Spokesman of the Ministry of Environment, told Khmer Times yesterday: “The UN Secretary-General called countries to develop National Cooling Action Plans (NCAP) to deliver efficient and sustainable cooling and bring essential life-preserving services like vaccines and safe food to all people. In response, Cambodia is already taking steps to take on the cooling challenge and has been one of the early movers in the region.
Cambodia, in collaboration with the Cool Coalition and its partners, has been developing a National Cooling Action Plan and linking Cooling to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Cambodia was also the first country in ASEAN to have completed its Enabling Activities for HFC Phase-down with UNEP for effective implementation of the Kigali Amendment, which Cambodia ratified on April 8, 2021.
Pheaktra said the NCAP would also help the Kingdom leverage the potential of passive building solutions and cold chains as means to tackle the cooling challenge and to enhance and effectively implement the NDC targets.
“Cooling in Cambodia is not only about thermal comfort, but it is also about protecting vulnerable populations, keeping food fresh, medicine viable, and workforces productive,” he said.
The Ministry of Environment of Cambodia has identified efficient, climate-friendly cooling as one of the priority actions for GHG mitigation.
“As we embark on the phase-down of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal we want to make sure our approach to cooling helps us to comply with the Kigali obligations,” Pheaktra pointed out.“While parts of rural areas struggle to install adequate cooling systems, air-conditioning usage has soared in our cities as people are making a rush to buy air conditioners. This is putting stress on our electricity grid and also contributing significantly to further global warming. To tackle this situation, we need a transition to sustainable cooling for all,” he explained.
Pheaktra said the government has been working with partners to implement a range of activities for the effective implementation of the Kigali Amendment and the Paris Climate Agreement, which include energy efficiency interventions and climate-friendly refrigerant adoption for emission reduction in the cooling sector.
“We reaffirm that we stand ready with the world community for effective implementation of the Kigali Amendment to address the adverse impacts of climate change from the cooling sectors,” Pheaktra added.
