Scaling Green Finance: Driving Climate Resilience Across Cambodia's Microfinance Sector

As climate challenges increasingly impact agriculture and rural livelihoods, building climate-resilient financial systems is no longer optional—it is essential.

During the first half of 2026, the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), with vital support from Oxfam and Irish Aid under the Climate Resilience for All (CREFA) project, achieved significant momentum in expanding green microfinance across the Kingdom. Designed to strengthen the resilience of Cambodian communities and institutions, CREFA addresses immediate climate risks while establishing a foundation for long-term sustainable development.

H1 2026 Impact at a Glance

Since the initiative’s inception in 2024, 25 CMA member financial institutions have formally committed to driving environmentally sustainable lending. In the first half of 2026 alone, their efforts yielded tangible results:

• $38.8 Million USD in green capital disbursed.
• 6,958 Green Loans issued to rural households and smallholder farmers.
• 30,731 Cambodians Empowered to invest in climate-smart agriculture, solar home systems, green transportation, and energy-efficient housing upgrades.

Translating Ambition into Operational Practice

A major milestone of H1 2026 was the official launch of the Green Loan Playbook during CMA's Annual General Assembly in March. Unveiled to over 100 C-level executives alongside distinguished delegates from Oxfam in Cambodia and the Embassy of Ireland, the Playbook bridges the gap between high-level sustainability goals and day-to-day credit operations. Now publicly available on CMA’s website, it serves as a cornerstone reference for the entire financial sector.

To drive seamless adoption of the Playbook, CMA is rolling out targeted capacity-building programs:

• Training of Trainers (ToT): Conducted in April 2026 for 34 key industry trainers, embedding green finance directly into core credit and risk management frameworks.
• Frontline Capacity Building: Preparing to train 100–120 frontline credit and operational staff later this year, equipping field officers with practical skills to evaluate environmental and climate risks.

Aligning with National Taxonomies & Expanding Capital Pathways

CMA continues to align its green finance strategy with national policy and broader market infrastructure:

• Regulatory Alignment: Following the National Bank of Cambodia’s (NBC) release of the Sustainable Finance Taxonomyin April 2026, CMA convened specialized technical sessions to ensure partner institutions align their green lending practices with national standards and global climate goals.
• Unlocking Long-Term Capital: A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) establishes new channels for partner institutions to access dedicated, affordable climate funds—enabling institutions to scale up green lending portfolios.

Powered by the steadfast support of Oxfam and Irish Aid, CMA remains committed to leading a more climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable financial system for Cambodia.

Explore Our Resources

Download the newly launched Green Loan Playbook and explore CMA’s sustainability initiatives by visiting our resource center at https://www.cma-network.org/publication or contacting us at fipm@cma-network.org