Destroyed rainforests

Cambodia still has large areas of forest, with a total of over 10 million hectares, or nearly 57% of the land area (Forest cover data in 2010). However, over the last two decades, Cambodia has lost some 2.86 million ha of forest (1965-2010), a rate of deforestation that is high compared with other countries.

The principal causes of deforestation relate mainly to institutional and governance issues and the fast rate of national development. Evidence suggests that large-scale agro-industrial enterprises are currently the largest driver of deforestation.

Through REDD+, we can reduce deforestation, strengthen conservation, and promote sustainable, management of forests for the benefit of people, especially the rural poor, wildlife, and the climate.

Recognizing the potential of REDD+, Cambodia is one of the first countries in the Greater Mekong region to address REDD+ with pilot activities starting in 2008. After Cambodia joined the UN-REDD Programme in October 2009, UNDP and FAO supported the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) in developing the Cambodia REDD+ Readiness Roadmap.