Environmentalists, solar sector see hope in treaty
A new treaty signed by Cambodia’s delegation to the COP22 climate conference in Marrakesh aims to bolster the country’s nascent solar energy industry, though some say substantial outside assistance is needed for solar to take off. On the sidelines of the conference on Tuesday, Environment Minister Say Samal joined the International Solar Alliance, an initiative spearheaded by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to promote solar power in the world’s sunniest countries. Bringing together developing nations located along the equator, the alliance will work to attract investment to the solar industry and support research and development across borders. The idea was first announced at the Paris climate conference last year, and launched this week when Cambodia and about 20 other countries signed the framework agreement. Membership in the alliance doesn’t include commitments to increasing solar energy use, but the news was nonetheless met with jubilation from some in Cambodia’s solar sector.
