Earth Hour inspires zero-emissions goal
SEVERAL ministries, local and international civil organisations and the private sector are co-celebrating Earth Hour 2022 under the theme “The Future We Wish”. This comes as the Ministry of Environment announced its ambition to reduce gas emissions to zero by 2050.
The announcement inspired participants to discuss how Cambodia should prepare for a sustainable future. The event was co-organised by the ministry and World Wide Fund for Nature Cambodia (WWF Cambodia) in collaboration with other organisations.
In a joint press release, they said Earth Hour – marked this year at 8:30pm on March 26 – has become one of the largest environmental movements. It is celebrated globally every year with the participation of more and more people from all walks of life. Governments, companies, communities, organisations and individuals in more than 190 countries mark the occasion.
Previously, Earth Hour had focused on the climate change crisis. In the past few years, the day has begun to attach importance to the issue of natural habitat loss, it said.
“This global environmental movement recognises the role of individuals as the core
of creating solutions to the challenges facing our planet’s natural environment. It also attaches importance to the effects of joining forces with millions of people around the world to promote positive
change for the environment and nature,” it added.
Environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra said nature is vital for human life and its development. If the is no future for the natural
world, then there is no future for humanity. He believes that in 2022, Earth Hour is an opportunity to prioritise making nature the core of plans for post-Covid-19 socio-economic development.
Pheaktra expected the people of Cambodia to join with the world in demonstrating ideas and discussing the importance of nature – and the need for solidarity to protect the environment and build a sustainable future for the planet.
“A healthy Cambodia, a quality environment and sustainable development is the future that we all wish for. We must join together in preserving and protecting our rich biodiversity and ecosystems, so that these systems continue to sustain people’s livelihoods, build resilience to climate change and support sustainable social, economic and environmental development,” he said.
With the celebration of this day, Pheaktra said Cambodia has ambitions to reduce gas emissions to “Net Zero” by 2050 – which is important to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Kingdom is committed to the agreement, which aims to keep a rise in global average temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“Our long-term strategy for carbon neutrality is crucial if we want to achieve our 2050 aim. It is an ambitious goal, but it will be possible with access to financing, new technology and a wide range of capacity building and education programmes,” he said.
Pheaktra called on the public to join together and stop consuming bush meat and buying wildlife products. Instead, they should turn to preserving and protecting Cambodia’s natural resources for the sake of this generation and the next.