Cambodia: environment

Where does Cambodia get its electricity?

Renewable sources produced 50.09% of the electricity generated for Cambodia's national grid in 2025, according to the Electricity Authority of Cambodia's Salient Features of the Power Sector 2025. Hydropower supplied 39.66%, solar 10.18% and biomass 0.26%, while coal supplied 47.72% and fuel oil 2.19%.

Including imports from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, which made up 7.89% of supply, Cambodia had 22,361 GWh of electricity in 2025, 11.96% more than in 2024. Solar capacity rose from 966 MW to 1,476 MW in the year. The EAC's plan for 2026 expects renewables to make up 67.40% of grid-connected capacity.

Official sources: Salient Features of the Power Sector 2025

How much of Cambodia is covered by forest?

Forest covered 37.6% of Cambodia's land area in 2024, according to World Bank data from the Food and Agriculture Organization's Global Forest Resources Assessment, down from 44.6% in 2020.

Forest area is land of more than half a hectare with trees taller than 5 metres and canopy cover of more than 10%, and does not include land mainly used for farming or towns. FAO's figures are based on reports from national forestry authorities, and the yearly values between assessments are estimated, so the trend over several years is more reliable than a single year's change.

Official sources: World Bank data

How polluted is the air in Cambodia?

People in Cambodia were exposed to an average of 19.4 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to World Bank data, close to 19.8 in 2022.

PM2.5 particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The World Health Organization's guideline is an annual average of no more than 5 micrograms per cubic metre. The estimates combine satellite data with models and ground measurements and are weighted by where people live.

Official sources: World Bank data

What are Cambodia's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Cambodia at 1.1 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.2 tonnes (2005) to 1.1 tonnes (2020). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Cambodia placed 20th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 127th of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Cambodia emit?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Cambodia was 49.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Cambodia placed 15th highest of 30. Worldwide: 78th of 186.

How much of Cambodia's energy is renewable?

52.4%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Cambodia for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 79.2% in 2005 and the low 51.4% in 2020. East Asia & Pacific median: 14.9%; Cambodia is 3rd highest of 30. Worldwide: 46th of 191.

What share of Cambodia is covered by forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Cambodia was 37.6%, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.6%, and Cambodia placed 22nd highest of 29. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 78th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Cambodia?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Cambodia was 19.4 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 27.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 17.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2015. It is 11th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 88th highest.

What share of Cambodia is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Cambodia was 39.8% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. East Asia & Pacific median: 15.8%; Cambodia is 2nd highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 12th of 192.

What is water stress in Cambodia?

In 2022, water stress in Cambodia was 1.0%, according to the FAO. The figure has been the same every year since 2006. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.1%; Cambodia is 18th highest of 20. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 159th highest.