Posted on November, 08 2024
WWF-Cambodia joined forces with the Royal Government of Cambodia and NGO partners to celebrate Clean Energy Week 2024, supporting Cambodia’s shift towards sustainable energy solutions. The weeklong event, organized by EnergyLab from 31 October to 7 November, highlighted the country's progress in green energy and explored innovations in the sector. WWF-Cambodia sponsored the event with a focus on energy efficiency in tourism, aiming to foster an energy-conscious future that benefits people and nature.
A key highlight of the week’s programming was the Cambodia Energy and Efficiency (CEE) Competition award ceremony, hosted at the Ministry of Environment on Monday, 4 November. The ceremony marked the conclusion of this year’s CCE Competition, a joint effort by WWF-Cambodia, government ministries and NGO partners to incentivize energy efficiency in private-sector companies. The competition invited businesses to track their energy usage over 12 months, competing to achieve the greatest energy savings. This year, 21 commercial buildings from 18 companies participated, dedicating themselves to a year of energy reduction.
WWF-Cambodia made an exciting addition to the 2024 CEE Competition by sponsoring participation from the tourism sector, a key player in Cambodia’s economy and energy consumption. This effort aligned with WWF’s “Build Back Better” initiative to promote sustainable practices during the sector’s economic recovery. WWF recruited six hotels to participate this year, facilitating 14 events and training sessions throughout the competition.
École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Debrule, a vocational school for hospitality and tourism, won first place with an impressive 37.2% reduction in energy use over 12 months. The school’s director, François Schnoebelen, attributed their outstanding energy efficiency to the creative solutions of their students. For instance, they decided to plant trees outside building windows to allow natural light without overheating their indoor spaces.
The contest’s cumulative results were equally impressive. Over one year, participating companies saved 266,000 kWh of energy and prevented 149 tons of CO2 emissions, translating to $43,200 in saved energy costs. These achievements showcase the potential for even greater impacts in future competitions as more businesses adopt sustainable practices.
The success of this year’s contest was driven by the collaborative efforts of WWF-Cambodia, the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Tourism and numerous other partners and sponsors. WWF-Cambodia is grateful for the shared commitment to a sustainable future and proud to support programs like Clean Energy Week 2024 and the CEE Competition. By promoting energy efficiency and eco-friendly innovation in the tourism sector, WWF-Cambodia is paving the way for a future where economic growth and environmental conservation go hand-in-hand.
