Phnom Penh, 28th April 2025 – The Ministry of Mines and Energy, the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the United Nations Development Programme launched a new project, “Accelerating Energy Efficiency in Cambodia’s Building Sector”. The project funded by the United Nations Joint SDG Fund aims to advance energy efficiency in the building sector by addressing behavioural, regulatory and market barriers, and facilitating green financing instruments for the private sector. 

The energy sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Cambodia, with the building sector accounting for about 52% of energy consumption. Efforts are underway to integrate energy efficiency into design guidelines, such as the Building Energy Code, support the development of Building Technical Regulations, ensuring policy alignment, and implement the empanelment and rating of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). Furthermore, the government endorsed a sub-decree on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), with ongoing work to create energy efficiency labels for air conditioners and refrigerators.

H.E. Chhe Lidin, Undersecretary of State from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, stated: “Energy efficiency is at the center of our efforts at the Ministry of Mines and Energy. It is the most cost-effective tool for achieving increased energy security, reducing costs, and creating a cleaner environment in line with our NEEP 2022-2040.” 

“UNDP has been supporting the Royal Government to accelerate just energy transition in line with the Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality and its 2050 target”, said Ms. Alissar Chaker, UNDP Resident Representative. She highlighted the potential of energy efficiency as low-hanging fruit for optimizing energy consumption and thereby reducing related cost and carbon emissions, adding “the project is closely aligned with the National Energy Efficiency Policy 2022-2030.” 

Ms. Maria Perdomo, Regional Investment Team Lead for Asia and the Pacific Region, UNCDF highlighted the importance of impact investment added: “Unlocking private capital for scaling/optimising investment into energy efficiency is a critical part of Cambodia’s development ambitions for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth and its national climate action agenda. In this partnership between the Government of Cambodia and UN system, UNCDF is bringing its unique mandate and financial instruments to de-risk investments and catalyze market entry in areas that are often overlooked by traditional finance, thereby broadening impact.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Petra Pontier, Policy Officer, UNDP Cambodia at petra.pontier@undp.org

---
The Joint SDG Fund supports countries to accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to deliver on the commitment of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind. Providing a new generation of Resident Coordinators (RCs) and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) with a critical instrument to incentivize the adoption of new solutions for longer-term sustainability.

UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network advocating for change and connecting governments, private sector and civil society to knowledge, experience, and resources to end the injustice of poverty and inequality, accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen good governance and peace, and promote nature-based solutions and climate resilience. Present in over 170 countries and territories, we assist nations to implement their solutions for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the people, the planet, and their prosperity. Learn more at https://www.undp.org/cambodia or follow us at @UNDPCambodia.

UNCDF’s mission is to support market development by enabling entities to access finance in high-risk environments for impactful investments by deploying financial instruments, mechanisms, and advisory. In partnership with UN entities and development partners, UNCDF operates with speed and agility to deliver scalable, blended finance solutions to drive systemic change, pave the way for commercial finance, and contribute to the SDGs.