Cambodia backs 15-project haze plan with estimated US$690 million cost
The government is seeking financing for measures aimed at cutting fires and ending harmful open burning in priority areas by 2035.
A Cambodian framework for tackling seasonal haze envisages 15 projects requiring an estimated US$690 million, the Ministry of Environment announced on October 27. The approved programme aims to curb fires and harmful burning through 2035, while financing is still being sought.
The Phnom Penh Post reported that Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth had approved the Investment Framework for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management 2026-2035. Its targets include substantially cutting fires affecting forests and other land, and ending harmful open burning in priority farming and forest areas.
Possible financing channels include public budgets, concessional climate funding, blended finance, commercial borrowing, carbon credits and nature-based solutions. The ministry is seeking support from financial institutions at regional and international levels, development agencies, philanthropic organisations and private investors.
According to the ministry, haze persists across the Greater Mekong Subregion during extended dry periods despite improved environmental management and fire prevention. It cited burning crop residues and waste, alongside fires affecting forests and wetlands, as sources of pollution crossing national borders.
The programme puts ASEAN’s 2023-2030 investment framework on haze-free land management into practice nationally and supports Cambodia’s commitments on regional haze and the Paris Agreement. It was developed alongside the UK Mission to ASEAN via the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund. Technical assistance came from two organisations: the Global Environment Centre and the Global Green Growth Institute.
