Cambodia

The project is the first funded and implemented initiative under the regional cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, known as the Partnership for ASEAN–ROK Methane Action (PARMA), announced at the ROK–ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2023.

It aims to support technology transfer and improve access to finance for methane emission reduction. A governance mechanism, through the Methane Reduction Committee, has been established to oversee implementation, monitor progress, and assess results.

In Cambodia, the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM) project focuses on laying the foundations for scalable and sustained methane reduction in the agriculture sector, with a particular focus on rice cultivation and waste from pig farms. The total budget for Cambodia is USD 2.7 million. 

The project strengthens institutional coordination through the Methane Reduction Committee, enhances technical capacity on methane reduction in rice cultivation and from pig farm waste, and adapts regional best practices to the national context, through knowledge sharing events. 

By improving readiness for implementation and investment, the project helps Cambodia operationalize its commitments under the NDC and the Global Methane Pledge and prepare for future pilot actions and financing.

The main outcome of this project is to establish a strong institutional, technical, and financial foundation for the reduction of methane emissions at scale, thereby contributing to the vision of a sustainable ASEAN community that balances social development and environmental protection.

1. Developing “Low-Emission Rice Cultivation: Costed Solutions for Methane Mitigation in Cambodia” to support the translation of Cambodia’s Methane Reduction Roadmap into action.  In addition, establishing and operationalizing Methane Reduction Committee in Cambodia, and designing and implementing a Methane Reduction Capacity Building Program.
2. Improving measurement of methane emissions by (i) analyzing gaps in methane emissions inventory, (ii) supporting estimation of Tier 2 methane emission factor from rice cultivation and methane conversion factor from commercial pig farm waste to strengthen methane measurements in Cambodia, (iii) supporting MRV requirements under the Enhanced Transparency Framework.
3. Designing, financing, and implementing methane emission reduction projects by (i) shortlisting methane reduction projects prioritized by the Royal Government of Cambodia, (ii) conducting feasibility studies on Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and methane emission reduction from pig farm waste to select project(s) to be financed and implemented, (iii) implementing methane reduction project(s).
4. Promoting regional dialogue and partnership by establishing an ASEAN knowledge platform for methane reduction.