Background
Cambodia monitors public air quality through fixed monitoring equipment and stations, and the resulting data is used to compare ambient conditions with public air quality standards. Public air quality monitoring is part of environmental governance because it supports pollution tracking, public information disclosure, and health risk communication.
The Ministry of Environment publishes air quality information through official digital channels, including a dedicated website, a mobile application, and the ministry’s Facebook page. In Cambodia, air pollution management includes monitoring particulate matter such as PM2.5 and coordinating with other ministries and local authorities to reduce emissions from waste burning, agricultural residue burning, forest encroachment fires, and plastic burning.
Scope of Application
The ministry’s first-quarter 2026 air quality update covers monitoring conducted at 59 locations nationwide, including 12 sites in Phnom Penh and 47 sites across the provinces. The update relates to public ambient air quality observations and comparison with public air quality standards, as well as ministry disclosure of real-time monitoring data.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The Ministry of Environment stated that air quality in Phnom Penh and the provinces during the first quarter of 2026 was at a good level compared with public air quality standards. Based on data from January to March 2026, the ministry reported regular nationwide monitoring during the quarter.
The ministry said that average PM2.5 concentration in the first quarter of 2026 was 24.28 µg/m3, compared with 23.09 µg/m3 in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a slight increase year on year. It also reported that specialized teams conducted six rounds of mobile air quality inspection and monitoring in Pailin, Pursat, Koh Kong, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, and Ratanakkiri.
The ministry stated that the public can follow real-time air quality data through airquality.moe.gov.kh, the CGS SPA mobile application, and the ministry’s Facebook page. It also said it continues to monitor air quality regularly, issue public notifications when necessary, and work with relevant institutions and local authorities on pollution prevention measures.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The update provides a reference point for businesses, development projects, and compliance stakeholders that track environmental conditions and official public reporting practices in Cambodia. It also indicates continued government attention to air quality management, public disclosure, and source-control measures linked to open burning and waste handling.
For investors and operators, regular publication of air quality data can support environmental due diligence, site-level health and safety planning, and monitoring of environmental governance practices. The report also shows that air quality oversight is linked to broader administrative action involving inter-ministerial coordination and local implementation.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment announcement dated 4 April 2026, published via the ministry’s official Facebook page.
