Ushering in an unjust energy transition

In Cambodia, majority of its energy is sourced from imported coal, mostly from  Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos . This drives electricity prices higher, especially for rural peoples who are forced to pay USD  80 cents per kilowatt on average, as they depend on imported diesel, compared to USD 25 cents for people in cities like Phnom Penh . With energy shortages and soaring prices,  the private sector has pursued the construction of renewable energy projects  like solar power plants.

From the  recent Social Monitoring Report  of the ADB, the only consultation that took place for the whole project was for the construction of 11 power towers in Kampong Speu. This only involved 28 individuals, with no women. Given the scale of the project, the lack of inclusive and meaningful consultations does not align with the bank's commitment in fostering partnerships that will ensure the welfare and rights of affected communities.

Meanwhile, farmers also faced difficulties due to the project's construction. CSO reports found that compensation from their acquired land was inadequate and even determined by the private entities who were handling the project. A total of 727 land owners also experienced land restrictions, particularly on the aspect of limiting the heights of trees and buildings that farmers can establish on the properties they have been tilling for a long time already.

To compensate for the years of financing dirty energy in Asia Pacific, the bank has spearheaded ETM which aims to  use concessional and market-based funds to retire existing coal-fired plants  to make way for clean energy infrastructure. Similar to the projects above which claim to promote clean energy but fall short on ensuring people's welfare, ETM does the same in such a way that  "bail out coal developers and their financiers, using resources that include public funds" .