Context
Cambodia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and has difficulties in implementing the country’s climate change response due to a lack of available quality-assured information and knowledge on climate change in the country. Significant gaps still remain in creating the conditions for science-based climate-informed decision making, in particular related to the production, access and use of climate information at local levels.
As highlighted in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Cambodia’s vulnerability is characterised by frequent floods and irregular rainfall, coupled with an agrarian-based economy, limited human and financial resources, insufficient physical infrastructure, and limited access to technologies.
The lack of adaptive capacity and the ability to define and implement adaptation strategies, in particular at the local level, is further hindered by significant gaps in information. According to the mid-term review (2019) of the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (2014-2023) which has been guiding both adaptation and mitigation efforts in the country, substantial gaps in the production and use of relevant data at different scales need to be addressed to improve (local) decision making process on adaptation. Though a number of climate change projects have been implemented or are under preparation, significant gaps still need to be addressed.
CTCN Support
To design a web-based local climate information system and establish an associated baseline (including related management protocols), which can support adaptation decision making processes, and provide services for climate information delivery at the sub-national (local) level.
Expected Results
This web-based local information system can effectively support climate-informed decision making processes at the sub-national (municipality) level, responding to the stakeholders’ needs identified. A capacity needs assessment and capacity building program will be also developed to ensure a locally-led, effective operation and progressive enhancement, and to maximize utilization of the system by local government authorities and other key stakeholders. Integration of the local climate information/data into national database and its use for national decision making on climate change response will contribute to enhancing climate resilience in Cambodia.