Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Vietnam spurns coal as South-East Asia aims to kick dirty habit
Vietnam made a surprise commitment at the COP26 climate summit to stop building new coal power plants, as South-East Asian nations once seen as growth markets for the fuel start to turn their backs on it.
COP26 and Climate Change: Vietnam’s Commitment to Reducing Emissions
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that Vietnam will reach its net-zero carbon emission target by 2050 and called for fairness and justice in climate change issues. Chinh reiterated that developed countries should share in the country’s difficulties and offer assistance in HR, national governance on sustainable development and provide Vietnam with preferential green finance and technology.
Thailand prepares to tackle PM 2.5 airborne dust issue this cold season
The draft plan empowers local agencies to proactively tackle the air pollution issue and drive relevant work and build on the national agenda on climate change as well as on the commitments made by the prime minister at the recent COP26 summit.
ANZ payment to displaced Cambodian families brings landmark human rights case to a close
“With this money, the more than one thousand families forcibly evicted from their land by Phnom Penh Sugar are rebuilding,” said Eang Vuthy, Executive Director of Equitable Cambodia. “It doesn’t undo the years of suffering they’ve endured, but it is a significant help to families in getting back on their feet after many years, and we are thankful that ANZ fulfilled its promise. In the meantime, we urge the government to expedite the land resolution process to end this longstanding land dispute.”
Myanmar jade traders squeezed between junta and rebels
Myanmar is the world’s biggest source of jade, with the industry largely driven by insatiable demand for the translucent gem from neighbouring China.
Landmark report detailing life for indigenous peoples issued
This report is the only national data compiled in Cambodian history for supporting the development of indigenous peoples in Cambodia as of 2021.
Cambodia mulls carbon neutrality at COP26
Cambodia has developed a 10-year National Strategic Plan for Climate Change, and recently submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change the updated Nationally Determined Contribution
Mekong Delta sustainable development forum
The annual Forum on Cooperation and Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta (Mekong Delta Forum) was held in both in-person and online forms on November 4, under the theme “Promoting local initiatives – Strengthening multilateral cooperation”.
USAID pledges continued development of Kingdom
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the continuation of its support for Cambodia’s socio-economic development after reaching the 10-year mark for its programme. USAID claims to have helped more than 230,000 Cambodian farmers and their families escape hunger and poverty.