Time is short for preparation of the INDCs – the national climate change commitments – towards the COP21 in Paris. Southern Voices-partner networks in Cambodia are calling on their government to take an ambitious stand in their INDC – and to include both contributions on emissions reductions, adaptation and DRR – as well as sustainable development.
INDC must involve all stakeholders
To put INDC high on the public agenda, and to have all stakeholders involved, the Cambodian Climate Change Network (CCCN) and the NGO Forum of Cambodia organised a workshop on 19-20th June in Siem Reap. Civil society and other stakeholders from Cambodia and other countries in South East Asia provided input both on preparation of the INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) and on the role of National Adaptation Plans (NAP).
“Both CSO’s and the private sector must be involved in the INDC preparations” says Mr. Chhorm Chhun, Coordinator of CCCN “the Government must involve all relevant stakeholders in the preparation of this important national commitment in the climate negotiations”
The statement adopted from the meeting propose that national commitments reflect the policy frameworks already in place, such as the national policies and plans on climate change, as for example Cambodia’s Climate Change Strategic Plan, the Green Growth Master Plan, and the Action Plan for Gender and Climate change. Read the joint statement by CCCN and NGO Forum of Cambodia.
Finance is key
“Our commitments to adaptation and mitigation need to link proportionally with the financial support and technology transfer from developed countries” says Mr. Sey Peou from the NGO forum “but national contributions to the commitments should be highlighted in the INDCs document”
Include both adaptation and mitigation
Cambodia is currently in the process of preparing a NAP – and the workshop highlighted a number of priorities derived from the NAP process to be included in an INDC, such as:
- Sustainable land use in agriculture – using ecosystem-based adaptation
- Flood proof wells and latrines, and road infrastructure
- Innovative local business to increase incomes for vulnerable communities
- Early warning systems and improved climate forecasting
As a developing country, Cambodia is not legally obliged to make mitigation commitments. Nonetheless the statement from the workshop, suggests a number of opportunities of mitigation to be included in the INDC:
- Renewable energy (such as biogas, biomass and solar)
- Forest conservation for REDD+
- Mini – medium hydropower solutions (new mega-hydropower must be avoided)
- Reduction of chemical fertilizer uses
Southern Voices contributions
All countries are expected to prepare INDCs for the deadline of October 1st this year. To get inspiration from other actors the organisers had invited participants from elsewhere in Asia. So several actors from the Southern Voices programme contributed to the event including:
- Ms. Vositha Wijenayake, SVA Regional Facilitator for Asia presenting the Joint Principles for Adaptation through skype from Sri Lanka
- Ms. Minh Ngyenh Ahn from the Climate Change Working Group and CARE Vietnam, sharing on INDCs preparation in Vietnam, including adaptation
- Mrs. Jessica Dator Bercilla, Christian Aid Regional Officer, sharing reflections from INDCs and the NAPs in the UNFCCC process, emphasing the importance to include loss and damage.
