An understanding of environmental science is important in a rapidly developing world. This is particularly the case in Cambodia, where development often takes place without adequate planning to ensure sustainability, and where environmental laws are often not implemented or enforced. These obstacles to environmental protection and conservation in Cambodia serve to make the teaching of Environmental Science particularly important.

It is a stated ambition of the Department of Environmental Science (DES), and the Royal University of Phnom Penh, to assist in overcoming the environmental problems facing Cambodia by empowering future environmental managers through education, and by encouraging DES staff to conduct studies, consultancies and outreach programs with direct implications for Cambodian environmental management.