The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 563
“An environmental expert said that now carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere all year long, which is considered to be polluting the atmosphere, is becoming a major source of income to support environmental actions in Cambodia.
“Mr. Nop Polin, the Information and Public Relations Officer of GERES Cambodia, said on 26 May 2008 that now, his organization is one among other non-government organizations working in poor countries through carbon credit trading related to carbon dioxide savings.
“He stated, ‘Nowadays, we are processing actions in Cambodia through volunteer carbon credit trading.’
“He added that by selling carbon credits it is possible to receive funds. Carbon credits are certified in documents stating the quantity of carbon dioxide saved, issued by the audit organization for carbon dioxide emissions [the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change], and they are paid for with funds from the volunteer carbon dioxide emissions market. The volunteer carbon credits market has been created by organizations and industrial companies – one side is emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the other side is taking different actions to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, like by replanting trees, or by using solar energy, with prices mutually agreed without any imposed regulation.
“He went on to say that through this policy it is attempted to keep the balance in the atmosphere against global warming and climate change, which are threatening the world day by day. Those who release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and those who take actions to reduce emissions must achieve a balance between the release of carbon dioxide and environmental protecting actions, aiming to make them equal to achieve a zero increase balance.
“He explained it with an example, ‘If a company releases one tonne of carbon dioxide [the unit to calculate carbon credits], that company must pay us to replant trees, or to take any actions that can also achieve to offset the emission of carbon dioxide by one tonne.’ So far, in order to guarantee the continuity of the global environment, the use of carbon credits, by using carbon credit trade in a voluntary carbon market, becomes a new commerce for some countries; Cambodia has only two non-government organizations working in this field. The two organizations are cooperating with some organizations in other poor countries to expand their work through funds from the sale of these carbon credits. The two organizations are the Center for Study and the Development in Agriculture [CEDAC] and GERES Cambodia.
“Mr. Nop Polin said that his organization has progressed by depending on finance from carbon credit sales since 2003, by teaching citizens to use new improved cook stoves that can reduce the use of wood and charcoal, and can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by about one tonne per year.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv8GwurHsgw]
“He stressed, ‘Through the wood saving project, we have been able to save since 2003 to 2007 180,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is considered to correspond to carbon credits, selling them on the European market, where the carbon credits are sold for between US$5 to US$15 per tonne in the volunteer carbon markets.’
“Mr. Minh Le Quan, the head of the Climate Change and Renewable Energy Unit of GERES, said that the above mentioned actions are the beginning of a new era for developing countries to work on global climate change. He continued, ‘Previously, it was assumed that the only method for publishing and for taking action depends on funds, but now we can start to think about carbon markets to help those who are among the most seriously affected victims of climate change.’
“He went on to say that this process will ease the burden on the funders of the project, and it can can help to reduce many more tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and help to improve the living standards of citizens all over Asia.
“He stressed, ‘Carbon credit financing is a new current, to provide funds through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.’
“Mr. Nop Polin said that citizens can join in this commerce if they have the ability to create clear plans and to form action groups.”
(In cooperation with the NGO Forum on Cambodia)
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4604, 1-2.6.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 2 June 2008
Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #111, 2.6.2008
- Gunman Cutting Down Trees in Ratanakiri Threatened the Life of a Man Who Is Living in the Forest Community and Who Is an ADHOC Activist
- Kampuchea Krom Khmer Association Urged the US Senate to Adopt Law 3096 [that protects the rights of Kampuchea Krom Khmers in Vietnam – 26 May 2008]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1656, 1.6.2008
- The United Nations: Myanmar Forces Attacked People Victimized by the Tropical Cyclone to Leave Their Camps [to return to their destroyed villages]
Khmer Eak Reach, Vol.2, #9, 1-7.6.2008
- LICADHO Warns about the Increase of Land Disputes
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #167, 1-3.6.2008
- [Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian] Yim Sovann: How Can Teachers Go to Study when Their Salaries Are Low Like These Days?
Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6360, 2.6.2008
- During the Fourth Week of Early May, Journalists Faced Many Noticeable Problems
- LICADHO: 70% of All Problem Cases Reported That Relate to Children in 2007 Are Sexual Abuse Cases; 203 Little Girls Were Abused
- More Than 6,000 Persons Received Medical Treatment from US Soldiers [29 May 2008]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3475, 2.6.2008
- Trees in the Northeast Provinces and in Kompong Thom Continue Being Destroyed [according to non-government organizations]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4604, 1-2.6.2008
- Carbon Dioxide Is Becoming the Source of Income to Support Environmental Actions in Cambodia
- Thai Prime Minister [Samak Sundaravej] Warned He Will Use Force to Halt Demonstrations against Him [31 May 2008]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3323, 1-2.6.2008
- The National Election Committee Announced that Information Papers Will Be Distributed on 5 June 2008 [to those who are on the election lists]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #669, 2.6.2008
- The Club of Cambodian Journalists Asked [the Minister of Foreign Affairs] Mr. Hor Namhong to Withdraw a Lawsuit against the Editor-in-Chief of Moneaksekar Khmer [Mr. Dum Sith, accused because he reported the content of another lawsuit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs]
- Border Problems with Laos Will Be Solved in June [according to Mr. Var Kimhong, the chairperson of the government’s Border Committee]
The developing nations often deny that their should take action to curb greenhouse gas emissions while they are still industrializing, but I think they need to become less hydrocarbon intensive just as quickly so their way of life isn’t dependent on an unsustainable system. NGO’s will play a huge part and this is a good start, but can we be sure the regulation is there to make sure that the right people are getting the right amount of credits and revenue? Perhaps an international oversight group for carbon trading would optimize the system.