Cambodia • A sustainable wood fuel value chain to combat deforestation
Half of the carbon consumed in Phnom Penh comes from the Cardamom Mountain region, one of the last flora and fauna sanctuaries in the Mekong countries. Geres, with the support of the UNDP, has developed a new commercial model for wood fuel in the provinces of Pursat and Kampong Chhang: KjuonGo, a sustainable and traceable value chain.
Cambodia remains highly dependent on wood and charcoal for its thermal needs (domestic cooking, catering, industrial heating, etc.). Half of the carbon consumed in Phnom Penh comes from the Cardamom Mountain region, one of the last flora and fauna sanctuaries in the Mekong countries. Traditional wood char production is often done by migrants living along the illegal deforestation line. However, the degradation of the Cardamom Mountain region aggravates climate risks and land-related or land use conflicts. Geres, which has been working in Cambodia since 1994, with the support of the UNDP, has developed a new commercial model for wood fuel in the provinces of Pursat and Kampong Chhang: the KjuonGo, a sustainable, legal and traceable value chain.