Rural Cambodians Face High Risk from Climate Change: Cambodia Human Development Report 2011 launched in Phnom Penh

Rural Cambodians Face High Risk from Climate Change
 

Cambodia Human Development Report 2011 launched in Phnom Penh
 

 

PHNOM PENH, 30 AUGUST 2011: UNDP Cambodia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, today launched the 2011 Cambodia Human Development Report (CHDR), which clearly identifies climate change as a threat to human development gains and a source of increasing vulnerability for the poor and near poor.

Although it is already on the national development agenda of the Royal Government of Cambodia, climate change issue now must be thoroughly incorporated into strategic policies and action plans in all sectors at national and sub-national levels to build future resilience, H.E. Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, said in his opening remark at the launch.

 

“The priority should be on developing human resources and institutions, research, application of appropriate technology, and financial resource aimed at strengthening the capacity to effectively respond to the climate change. This needs to be done particularly in the sectors that are the backbone of national economy such as agriculture, water resources, fisheries, forestry, energy and physical infrastructure,” H.E. Keat Chhon said.

 

UNDP Cambodia Resident Representative Douglas Broderick observed “While climate change responses need to be well informed and based on the best available science, it is not possible or desirable to simply ‘predict and act’. Despite the significant degree of risk and uncertainty that climate change brings, there are measures that can be adopted that are ‘no regrets’. Such measures would provide benefits by addressing current development priorities, thus strengthening resilience, which will also respond to climate change impacts.”

 

Although climate change is often considered an environmental issue, its effects will take a toll on human development gains. Shorter and more intense rainy seasons combined with longer and dry seasons are expected to significantly alter the country’s agricultural landscape. Predicted rises in temperature could have devastating effects on the rice crops on which many rural livelihoods rely.

 

Dealing with climate change marks a new paradigm for development, and the Report’s recommendations emphasise the need to address the structural dimensions of poverty and vulnerability rather than solely focusing on climate change adaptation. The report also argues for a well coordinated effort to build climate resilience among the rural population, particularly in four key areas: 

- Water resources: Management of water resources is essential to building resilient rural livelihoods. Water resources need to be managed through an integrated approach to balance water availability and water demand, so that access to water resources among different uses and users can be equitable and fair and economically efficient, but also to ensure that water use is sustainable, taking into consideration ecosystem requirements.

- Agriculture: Climate change predictions suggest that temperatures will increase and seasons will shift, likely leading to crop losses and shifting planting schedules. Farmers will need to adapt to both these sets of vulnerability factors to create more resilient rural livelihoods.

- Forest: Protecting forests – and thereby watersheds and land – can contribute to ecological protection, water resource management, sustainable land use and agriculture, and human health. REDD+ clearly has enormous potential for Cambodia. But for Cambodia to benefit from REDD+, it must put in place a system of monitoring, reporting and verification for both the international community and national stakeholders.

- Fisheries: Dealing with climate change impacts on fisheries will require consideration of efforts at different scales. Most management effort is currently directed at community and commercial fishing lots. However, given the nature of the drivers of productivity and the dimensions of climate change, there will be a need to refocus fisheries management on management of broader landscapes and waterscapes.

 

Also speaking at the launch, H.E. Dr. Mok Mareth, Senior Minister and Minister of Environment, said the report and its recommendations “have the potential to provide long-term benefits to contribute to reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable and equitable development under climate change conditions.” He added that participation by all actors – Government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, with the support of development partners – “can ensure the success of climate change response in Cambodia.”

 

National Human Development Reports (NHDRs) apply the human development approach to specific development challenges that particular countries face. They are independent and neutral, prepared through a process of research, analysis and consultation, supported by UNDP, but involving a wide range of national stakeholders from the government, civil society and the private sector. The overall purpose of NHDRs is to introduce the concept of human development into national policy dialogue, and to open a public platform for such dialogue.

 

The CHDR will be employed as a tool to bring to the climate change dialogue facts and policy recommendations that will help rural Cambodians to safeguard and improve their livelihoods to weather the effects of climate change.

 

 

For further information, please contact: Mr. Ker Munthit : +855 11 905 261, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it