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Climate change: Typhoon Yagi’s Destruction in Southeast Asia/ADB urges Thailand to adopt green finance/Carbon credits ‘key’/World Bank sees $642-billion inflows/Sustainability: Tourism Industry Must Embrace Sustainability/Paving way to green airports/Sustainable island tourism/Energy: China’s footprint on Thailand’s energy landscape/Renewable scheme to start/25-Year Solar Power Agreements/Water: Protecting Thailand’s coral reefs/Air: Indigenous people defend traditional farming/Rethinking Rice Farming/Thailand to introduce carbon tax/Electric vehicles: 1.9 million new electric vehicle registrations/Bt7.12 billion for EV subsidies/Wildlife: Elephant camps transitioning to a cruelty-free future/Kao Tao working hard to protect sea life/
Typhoon Yagi’s Destruction in Southeast Asia Underscores Urgent Need for Global Climate Action
For the past two weeks, Chiang Rai and much of northern Thailand have been hit by devastating floods as Typhoon Yagi ravages Southeast Asia. Landslides and flash floods triggered by the typhoon have caused hundreds of deaths throughout Thailand, Vietnam, and war-torn Myanmar, and left millions more displaced, injured, or missing throughout the region.
Thousands of miles away from this death and destruction, world leaders have gathered in the august halls of the United Nations General Assembly in New York for the Summit of the Future. This week, the heads of state and government are adopting “The Pact for the Future,” a painstakingly negotiated outcome that reaffirms their commitment to tackling global challenges, including the existential threat of climate change. Yet, while the ink dries on the 60-something-page document, the harsh reality of climate change continues to unfold across Southeast Asia. Continued …
ADB urges Thailand to adopt green finance to tackle climate change
Thailand must accelerate its economic restructuring to effectively tackle climate change, Anuch Metha, director of the Asian Development Bank’s Thailand office in Thailand, told participants of the “Road to Net Zero 2024: The Extraordinary Green” seminar organized by Thansettakij on Wednesday.
Metha emphasized the need for a financial system that supports the green economy in light of the climate challenges facing Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific region, including unpredictable weather patterns leading to floods and other natural disasters. Continued …
Carbon credits ‘key’ to winning climate fight
The Royal Forest Department (RFD) says the nation’s carbon-trading scheme will be an important tool in the fight to preserve Thailand’s forests, noting the community that took part in its pilot program in 2015 has generated over seven million baht in carbon credits from the scheme to date.
Speaking at an event called Carbon Credit Trade for Sustainable Forest Management yesterday, RFD Director-general Surachai Achalaboon said carbon-trading schemes should be an integral part of environmental preservation efforts, because they confer tangible benefits on local communities for protecting forests. Continued …
World Bank sees $642-billion inflows for Thailand to pursue low-carbon economy
The World Bank has called on Thailand to hasten its shift toward a low-carbon economy, highlighting substantial opportunities for sustainable financial investment of US$632 billion. The bank also proposed guidelines to drive policies and measures aimed at achieving the country’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At the “Road to Net Zero 2024” seminar organized by Thansettakij on Thursday, Melinda Good, World Bank country director for Thailand and Myanmar, outlined the risks and opportunities associated with the transition to net-zero emissions. Continued …
Thailand’s Tourism Industry Must Embrace Sustainability Now
Thailand’s tourism sector stands at a critical crossroads, as global sustainability standards become non-negotiable. In response, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with international sustainable tourism leaders, hosted a pivotal seminar titled “Action Alert! Accelerating Towards Sustainable Tourism in Thailand.”
The event aimed to equip Thai tourism businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to meet the forthcoming environmental regulations from the European Union, expected to come into force within the next two years. Over 1,000 industry operators attended, highlighting the urgency for change. Continued …
AOT unveils 4-point strategy, paving way to green airports
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has unveiled a strategy to transform six international airports under its management into “green” airports, in line with the country’s net zero emission policy. The AOT manages Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket and Hat Yai airports, which account for 95% of domestic and international flights.
The strategy for green airports focuses on four main aspects: Connectivity, system integration, sustainability, and airport size, Jakkraphob Jarassri, AOT’s chief adviser for engineering and construction, said. Continued …
Phuket hosts forum on sustainable island tourism
Sustainable tourism plays an important role in strengthening local communities, especially in the face of climate-induced emergencies such as floods and storms that have affected Phuket, Gov. Sophon Suwannarat said on Wednesday.
He made the comment at the opening of the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum, which was running until Friday at the Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort. Continued …
Chasing the sun: China’s footprint on Thailand’s energy landscape
Thailand, a land of natural beauty, faces an escalating pollution crisis that threatens its environment. Yet, amid this challenge, collaboration with China is driving innovative solutions.
In the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, a hydro-floating solar hybrid installation combines solar and hydropower, reflecting a future where technology and nature coexist harmoniously. Continued …
Renewable scheme to start in Q4
The much delayed second-phase 3.6-gigawatt renewable scheme is likely to start in the fourth quarter of this year, following the end of a legal dispute concerning the first phase, says an energy official.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) could not push ahead with the scheme’s second phase after the Central Administrative Court suspended the state’s plan to buy 1,500 megawatts of wind power due to alleged irregularities in the process of selecting power plants in the first phase of the scheme, with combined power generation capacity of 5.2GW from wind, solar and biogas energy. Continued …
B.Grimm Power Secures 25-Year Solar Power Agreements With EGAT And PEA
B.Grimm Power Public Co. (B.Grimm Power) has signed 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) through its subsidiaries and joint ventures. The agreements cover eight companies and represent a combined total contracted capacity of 323.3 megawatts (MW) for solar farm projects.
The scheduled commercial operation dates (SCOD) for these projects will span from 2026 to 2030, contributing to Thailand’s renewable energy goals. This initiative aligns with B.Grimm Power’s “GreenLeap-Global and Green Strategy,” which aims to support the rapidly evolving energy markets and help Thailand meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2065. Continued …
Protecting Thailand’s coral reefs and ecosystem from sunscreen threat
Thailand’s stunning coral reefs are not just a national treasure but also a crucial part of the global marine ecosystem. Unfortunately, these vibrant underwater landscapes are under increasing threat.
While climate change and pollution often get the most attention, there’s another hidden danger lurking beneath the surface: chemical sunscreens. Sunscreens that include ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate are highly toxic to coral reefs. Although these chemicals have been banned in Thailand, other harmful ingredients such as avobenzone and octocrylene remain in many sunscreens. Continued …
Indigenous people defend traditional farming in northern Thailand
The Thailand’s Pwo Karen of Ban Mae San have prospered in harmony with nature, upholding their traditional agricultural practices and rich cultural heritage for over 300 years. However, government measures are now putting their way of life at risk.
In recent years, between January and April, residents of Bangkok and northern Thailand have struggled to breathe due to high levels of pollution in the air. As the air quality index can reach 150 and even 200 AQI during these months — levels deemed unsafe for humans — anti-pollution masks have become essential. In response, the government has scrambled to provide explanations and solutions. Continued …
Rethinking Rice Farming: A Greener Approach
Traditional rice farming presents significant environmental challenges. Practices like burning leftover straw after harvest and submerging fields throughout the growing season waste water and release harmful greenhouse gases, particularly methane, into the atmosphere — impacting both the environment and human health.
Fortunately, sustainable alternatives are available. Introducing dry cycles during rice cultivation can greatly reduce carbon emissions. By alternating between wet and dry periods, farmers can conserve water and minimize methane production. Additionally, incorporating straw back into the soil enriches it and prevents air pollution from burning. Continued …
Thailand to introduce carbon tax to curb emissions this year
Thailand is set to implement a carbon tax this year, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced at the Road to Net Zero 2024: The Extraordinary Green event. The Finance Ministry plans to propose the carbon tax measure to the Cabinet for approval soon, with the goal of rolling it out in the coming months.
Paopoom explained that this measure aims to encourage businesses to reduce their carbon emissions without placing an additional burden on the public. He provided an example involving the combustion of all types of fuel oil, which contributes to atmospheric carbon emissions. Continued …
Thailand sees 1.9 million new electric vehicle registrations, a 13% decline
As many as 1,876,356 electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in Thailand in the first eight months of 2024, a nearly 13% drop compared to the same period last year. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) said on Friday that registrations had declined by 280,091 vehicles from the 2,156,447 in the same period last year.
The department said that despite the lower number of registered EVs in 2024, the trend of new EV registrations was still growing, especially after January. Continued …
Cabinet allots Bt7.12 billion for EV subsidies
The cabinet has approved the allocation of 7.12 billion baht from the central reserve budget for emergency and essential purposes to fund the EV subsidy program.
Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Jirayu Huangsab, an adviser to the prime minister, said the budget will be used to subsidize buyers of electric vehicles (EVs) and motorcycles who already purchased their vehicles, but have not yet applied for the government subsidy under EV promotion measures. Continued …
How Thailand’s elephant camps are transitioning to a cruelty-free future
“This herb is excellent at clearing up hemorrhoids,” explains Atichart Chatpisitchaikul, or “Tong”, my guide at the ChangChill elephant camp in the hill country outside of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
My fellow trekkers and I glance down at the mountainous pile of poop at our feet and wrinkle our noses in unison before Tong pushes on up the hill and we follow behind, bamboo trekking poles helping to speed our ascent to the top of the slippery slope. Continued …
Kao Tao: Inside the tiny Thai island working hard to protect the sea life
The residents, divers and marine biologists of Koh Tao are working tirelessly to keep the tiny island, its waters and shores, clean and green for future generations.
Visitor numbers are up by 40% in Koh Tao this year, compared to 2023. I should’ve guessed that by clocking the pyramid of backpacks that practically barricades us in on the short ferry ride over to the tiny Thai island. Tao is the baby of the beloved trinity archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand; neighboring Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, and measuring just 8 square miles – it’s one of the country’s smallest islands that’s continually inhabited year-round. Continued …