CLEAN – Cambodia innovative cLimatE Adaptation and mitigatioN financing mechanism

The Joint SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Fund’s CLimatE Adaptation and mitigatioN (CLEAN) financing mechanism aims to leverage US$10 million in private capital for the development of commercially viable, inclusive and climate sensitive water, sanitation and hygiene and sustainable water management business models in Cambodia. 

Today, only about 15-30% of secondary cities in Cambodia have waste collection systems. As a result, more than 8 million Cambodians lack access to piped water. Infrastructure and services gaps in the water, sanitation and solid waste management sectors are exacerbated by a lack of public and private financing that has led to prolonged under-investment. Additionally, a majority of informal waste collectors are women and children.

As a result of CLEAN, households will be connected to piped water systems in five provincial cities, benefiting more than 100,000 people each year after 2024. As a result of the programme, a volume of about 200,000 tons of organic waste will be diverted from landfill and composted, greenhouse gas emissions of at least 145,000 tons of CO2e will be reduced, and municipal solid waste and facile sludge management services will continue to expand as CLEAN supported businesses continue to operate and grow.