SWITCH-Asia

On January 14, the EU SWITCH-Asia Switch Garment project participated in the European Chamber of Commerce Cambodia Breakfast Talk on "How can European brands meet RE100 and other global climate goals in Cambodia?" 

The event that took place in Phnom Penh saw as panel speakers Ms. Karolien Casaer-Diez, GGGI Cambodia Country Representative and Switch Garment Project Manager, Mr. Matthew Armstrong, Representative from Adidas, and Mr. Peter Ford, Environmental Sustainability Responsible at H&M Group in Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar, a RE100 member. 

During the event, the energy landscape in Cambodia was presented and brands were able to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in meeting sustainability targets in the country's garment sector.   

Following a multi-stakeholder partnership approach, in order to break down the barriers to sustainable energy in the Cambodian garment industry, which employs more than 800,000 people and drives economic growth, Switch Garment is working with key actors in the sector, including the Government, brands, technology providers, and factories. 

Factories we engage with are starting to see that greening equals competitiveness. Thanks to initiatives like the RE100, they understand that being green is a strategic benefit, and can help them secure contracts with international brands, explained Ms. Karolien Casaer-Diez.  

RE100 is a global initiative that joins together some of the world’s most influential businesses, including major fashion brands, committed to reaching 100% renewable energy. Their 2020 Annual Report stated that 42% of new RE100 members are from the Asia-Pacific Region, showing that although the region has some of the most challenging markets for businesses to source renewable energy, it also presents some of the biggest opportunities for green investment and growth. 

Mr. Peter Ford, Environmental Sustainability Responsible at H&M Group in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, outlined the practicalities of meeting renewable energy targets in Cambodia. 

It is going to be difficult to meet RE100 targets in an area that is almost entirely coal-powered. Our H&M Group's global targets are very clear: climate neutral by 2030 and climate positive by 2040. Countries that can work with us to meet those goals instantly become more attractive.

The climate commitments of brands signal the urgent need for change in the Cambodian garment industry. International brands are under pressure to meet climate targets, and nations that can facilitate this will likely have a competitive advantage. Mr. Matthew Armstrong, Representative from Adidas urged the audience to see this as an opportunity for growth: 

Will brands grow and invest more if Cambodian strengthens its grid towards green energy? The answer is an astounding yes! ‘Made in Cambodia’ is a brand. We should take this as an opportunity to make this a better brand that we can be proud of.

Beyond meeting climate targets, the event highlighted the potential and demand for green jobs in Cambodia. GGGI's economic modeling found that increasing resource efficiency in Cambodia's key manufacturing industries could create half a million jobs by 2030.  

The SWITCH-Asia programme is managed by the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). In line with its key priorities, through the Switch Garment project and many others implemented in Asia and Central Asia, the programme is contributing to strengthening Green Alliances and Partnerships in the region to achieve progress in sustainable energy and apparel and fashion sustainability, as well as Sustainable Growth and Jobs, promoting sustainable finance and advancing the creation of decent jobs thanks to a better business environment and investment climate. 

Want to learn more about Switch Garment?  

Contact: [email protected] 

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