The Role of the National and Sub-national Government Organizations in Climate Change Adaptation Plans: Coastal Areas of Cambodia

The research aims to explore the coordination among government organizations in the climate change adaptation plans in coastal areas of Cambodia. The research had three objectives: to identify the climate change adaptation policies at the national and sub-nation level; to examine the coordination among government organizations to successful climate change adaptation responses, and to explore the main barriers and feedback of officials implement climate change adaptation policy. The study utilizes a mixed methodology to analyze in combination with policy reviews and conduct a case study by using a questionnaire survey to collect data from government officials who are involved in the climate change adaptation response in the coastal area of Cambodia. The study has found that presently the Royal Government of Cambodia has two national agencies that have responded to climate change and natural disasters. First, the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) has responded to climate change aspects to cooperate with relevant stakeholders at all levels. Second, the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) has been designated as an urgent national agency to address climate change and natural disasters in Cambodia. Moreover, this study conceptually affirms that significant several key barriers in the practice of the climate adaptation plans could be improved, in particular with regard to the lack of climate change information, limited expertise and understanding of climate change, weakness in governance and institutions, and limited financial resources support.