As consumers increasingly demand environmentally-friendly initiatives, many European companies start to implement climate change and renewable energy targets, such as RE100. RE100 companies, for example, make a commitment to use 100% renewable electricity across their global operations. Energy efficiency targets thus can expand across the supply chain. In Cambodia, approvals of large coal projects, to supply Cambodia’s electricity, have meant significant carbonization of the electricity grid.
A recent event in Phnom Penh, hosted by the EUROCHAM, discussed how European Brands can contribute to energy efficiency targets and Cambodia’s Climate Goals.
The SWITCH Garment project manager Ms. Karolien Casaer-Diez highlighted project experience: “Factories, we engage with, are starting to see that greening equals competitiveness. Thanks to initiatives like the RE100, they understand that being green is a strategic benefit, and can help them secure contracts with international brands.” The EU Funded SWITCH-Asia project that started in 2020, aims at increasing investment in sustainable energy practices such as efficient technologies, switch to renewable energy and good operations management by garment factories in Cambodia.
Next to the SWITCH Garment project the event saw panel speakers from Adidas and the H&M Group in Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar. More than 70 participants exchanged thoughts with the panel on renewable energy, climate goals, waste management and what businesses and policymakers in Cambodia can do to ensure that all stakeholders could reap the benefits of a green future.