Climate change action

As a non-Annex 1 country, Thailand is not bound to international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The national government of Thailand, however, has taken action towards responding to the global call to mitigate climate change. Thailand plans to cut the country’s CO2 emissions by 15-20 percent as a response to the growing concerns on the country’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change. The plan, which is still a work in progress, is said to be completed in the next few months. It would focus on industries, power producers and transportation companies, as announced by the director of the Energy Ministry’s Policy and Strategy Coordination Office, Tawarath Sutabutr. (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs- Humanitarian News and Analysis. March 30, 2008. Thailand: Government planning to cut CO2 emissions by 15-20 percent. http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=77517).

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken the lead in acting upon climate change in Thailand and has initiated its own Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions from the city. As seen in the table below, the GHG emissions from Bangkok metropolitan area are relatively higher when compared to other large cities including those in developed countries.

Comparison of GHG Emissions of Bangkok and other Major Cities

Source: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Action Plan on Global Warming 2007-2012

36 private and public sector organizations jointly signed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Declaration of Cooperation on Alleviating Global Warming Problems last May 2007. The strategies to be implemented under the Declaration are as follows:

1. Reduce energy consumption and maximize efficiencies in resource utilization in all activities to minimize global impacts;
2. Promote and support all sectors and stakeholders to jointly reduce GHG emissions;
3. Promote the sufficiency economy lifestyle to prepare for, and adapt to, global warming;
4. Promote and support activities that lead to GHG absorption;
5. Promote and support activities that continuously work to mitigate global warming by building public awareness and knowledge.

The Declaration has led to the establishment of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Action Plan on Global Warming Mitigation, which was developed through a consultative process with different sectors such as the academe and private sectors, as well as the public. The final Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Action Plan on Global Warming Mitigation contains 5 initiatives:

1. Expand mass transit and improve traffic systems
2. Promote the use of renewable energy
3. Improve electricity consumption efficiency
4. Improve solid waste management and waste water treatment efficiency
5. Expand park areas

The Action Plan is aimed at bringing about a 15% reduction in Bangkok’s GHG emissions below the baseline scenario by 2012. Please see the link below to download the document.

Related links

• Thailand Country Synthesis Report
• Initial National Communication under the UNFCCC