On February 25, Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth kicked off the SCALE+ project in Cambodia. This initiative, titled “Building Climate Resilience of Communities in Cambodia’s Protected Landscapes through Biodiversity-Friendly Crop–Livestock Systems,” focuses on helping communities adapt to climate change while promoting biodiversity.
With a budget of $9 million, SCALE+ is set to run until November 2030. It’s expected to benefit over 84,000 people, more than half of whom are women. The project aims to restore 92,000 hectares of community-protected land and rehabilitate 2,000 hectares of degraded areas. This will help improve land management and build stronger livelihoods.
The Ministry of Environment is leading the project, working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. They are also receiving technical help from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Key figures at the launch included project director Ken Sereyrotha and FAO representative Rebekah Bell. They emphasized the need for collaboration across sectors to ensure resilient agricultural systems. They reiterated the FAO’s commitment to fostering climate-resilient livelihoods and protecting biodiversity.
The project targets protected areas like the Boeung Per Wildlife Sanctuary and Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. These regions are crucial for many local families who rely on forests and agriculture. However, climate change and poor land management practices are putting these ecosystems at risk. As noted, Cambodia is vulnerable to climate impacts that threaten food security and rural income.
SCALE+ aims to tackle these issues by promoting solutions that enhance climate resilience and protect ecosystems. The focus will be on adaptive planning and incorporating biodiversity-friendly farming practices while ensuring that local communities benefit from these changes.
According to a recent FAO report, sustainable agricultural practices can increase yields by up to 30% in certain regions. By integrating climate-resilient strategies, communities can not only bolster their earnings but also secure their natural surroundings. As climate pressures mount, initiatives like SCALE+ are vital for uplifting communities and preserving biodiversity.
