Cambodia has announced its support for the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, a move that climate experts say shows strong and timely leadership as the world faces the worsening effects of the climate crisis.
Leaders and climate advocates say the impacts of the crisis—heavy rainfalls, landslides, and other extreme weather—are no longer future warnings but realities affecting millions today. As an observer of the Initiative, Cambodia says it will continue to participate, learn from other countries, and help shape a mechanism that supports and strengthens existing global climate agreements like the Paris Agreement.
Nithi Nesadurai, Director and Regional Coordinator of Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA), praised Cambodia’s decision. He said the country has “shown outstanding climate leadership” not only for Southeast Asia but for the rest of the world.
He noted that Cambodia was already the second country in the region to submit its updated NDC3.0 climate plan, which aims for a 55% reduction in emissions by 2035. Moving away from fossil fuels, he added, will also help Cambodia economically by reducing its spending on oil, gas, and coal imports.
CANSEA says it looks forward to working closely with the Cambodian government and civil society groups to support the implementation of the Treaty proposal.
The announcement comes at a critical moment. Over the next week, global delegates will debate a “roadmap” for a transition away from fossil fuels—an idea first raised by President Lula at the opening of the COP30 leaders’ summit. The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty remains the only clear, legally binding, 1.5°C-aligned plan that includes a commitment to end fossil fuel expansion and scale up finance for a just transition.
Cambodia’s support adds weight to global calls for negotiation of the Treaty, which aims to accelerate a fast, fair, and well-funded shift away from coal, oil, and gas.
The announcement follows the Ministerial Caucus of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative at COP30, where participating nations explored legal pathways toward formal negotiations. This process—supported by UN resolutions and diplomatic outreach—is expected to begin officially at the Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels, hosted by Colombia in April 2026.
Momentum for the Fossil Fuel Treaty continues to grow worldwide. A total of 18 countries, including Sri Lanka and Nepal, are now involved in the process. More than 145 cities and subnational governments have endorsed the call, saying a binding global agreement is needed to speed up an equitable transition away from fossil fuels and help fulfil the goals of the Paris Agreement.
About the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative
The Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative is a global diplomatic effort led by several countries and supported by cities, Indigenous groups, academics, businesses, and civil society. It calls for a legally binding framework to phase out oil, gas, and coal while ensuring that the transition is fair, inclusive, and aligned with climate science.
