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Climate change: How is Thailand Investing in Climate?/Thailand discusses pressing issues/‘Just’ climate change laws/Sustainability: Lessons from Thai seafood industry/Combating Greenwashing/Energy: To generate Bt2.9 trillion/Readiness to sell clean electricity/Talks with Laos/The Global Solar Energy Landscape/Sanli Environmental Completes First Solar Project/Move away from fossil fuels/Water: Mangrove restoration plans/Threatening world food production/Global coral bleaching event expands/Plastics: Shift to circular packaging/Recycling: Time to deal with e-waste/Cooking Oil Waste into Aviation Fuel/Electric vehicles: Grab Launches EV Fleets/Leadership in the Electric Vehicle Industry/The Charging Infrastructure Challenge/Chinese EV Manufacturers Outpacing VW, BMW, Mercedes/FedEx Expands Electric Vehicle Fleet/
How is Thailand Investing in Climate and Nature for Resilience?
Recently, the private sector has raised $45 billion annually to support climate initiatives, while 73 public and partially public climate funds are now in place. However, with the world off-track in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, these efforts remain insufficient. The World Bank has called for a leap from billions to trillions of dollars in investment to truly make a difference.
The Asia-Pacific region, including Thailand, is no exception to this challenge. In fact, no SDG is on track to be achieved by 2030 in the region. At its current pace, the goals won’t be met until 2062 — 32 years behind schedule. Continued …
Thailand discusses pressing issues of global climate change, forest fires and dust pollution
The second meeting of the National Environment Board for 2024 centered on the government’s commitment to addressing climate change and its impact on natural disasters such as floods, storms, and landslides.
The meeting also discussed preparations for the upcoming PM 2.5 dust season, with an emphasis on implementing concrete measures to protect public health and enforcing laws against illegal hazardous waste disposal. Continued …
Activists call for ‘just’ climate change laws, carbon credit system
More than 200 climate activists gathered last week in front of the United Nations headquarters in Bangkok urging the Thai government to stop the climate change laws and carbon credit system that benefit large corporations.
According to participants, the activity titled “System Change Not Climate Crisis” calls for climate justice from the government before it attends the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, being held in Azerbaijan from Nov. 11-22. Continued …
Lessons from 10 years of working together in the Thai seafood industry
Food has never been higher on the sustainable business agenda and it’s not hard to see why. Our food systems are failing badly – hitting the resilience of the societies and business that relies on it. Food is one of the primary drivers of the climate and nature crises, responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, 70% of freshwater use and 80% of biodiversity loss. At the same time, millions go hungry, while 30% of food is wasted.
Then there are the 4.5 billion people who depend on food systems for their livelihoods: with 90% of employment in agriculture informal, it’s where most child labor occurs. Continued …
Combating Greenwashing: Implications for Thailand and global business
In today’s market, sustainability is increasingly prioritized. Advertisements frequently highlight the environmental benefits of products, claiming “packaging made from 30% recycled plastic” or “carbon emissions reduced by 50% compared to 2020”.
Yet, beneath these claims lies a challenge: how accurate are they? Instances such as T-shirts allegedly made from recycled plastic bottles ‒ where only 1% of the material is recycled ‒ raise concerns about greenwashing, the practice of overstating environmental efforts. Continued …
Clean energy plan to generate Bt2.9 trillion
The new National Energy Plan (NEP), Thailand’s first serious guideline to promote clean energy, is expected to generate 2.9 trillion baht in capital spending over the next 13 years, with solar energy a key factor to cut carbon dioxide.
The 2024 NEP, set to be enforced from this year to 2037, comprises a power development plan, an oil plan, a gas plan, an alternative energy plan and an energy efficiency plan. Continued …
Major energy companies express readiness to sell clean electricity
Four key energy companies have expressed readiness to sell clean electricity in the second round of procurement following the announcement by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) that it would purchase 2,100 megawatts.
The electricity procurement from renewable-energy sources under the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in the form of feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for the years 2022 to 2030 has garnered significant interest from electricity producers, aligning with the increasing demand for renewable energy and the aim for net zero emissions. Continued …
Talks with Laos focus on renewable effort
Thai authorities are planning to hold talks with the Laos government to jointly promote more use of renewable energy across borders, accelerating efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Under the plan, Thai business operators will be encouraged to buy renewable power from Laos under a “cross-border energy attribute certificate” scheme, said an official at the Energy Ministry who requested anonymity. Continued …
ASEAN’s Expanding Role in the Global Solar Energy Landscape
The solar industry in Southeast Asia (SEA) is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by the region’s commitment to sustainable energy goals and the global push for a greener future.
Asia has been considered one of the leading regions in the global solar industry. According to data provided by Business Market Insights, the Asia-Pacific solar energy market is expected to reach a valuation of $334 million by 2030. It is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. Continued …
Sanli Environmental Completes First Solar Project, Secures Second Major Contract In Thailand
Sanli Environmental Ltd., known for its expertise in environmental engineering, has successfully broadened its renewable energy initiatives in Thailand.
The recent completion of a solar power system at Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway and a 15-year power purchase agreement with Topland Plaza for a photovoltaic system mark significant milestones in the company’s sustainable energy journey. Continued …
Developing economies move away from fossil fuels in clean energy surge
New analysis from RMI finds that renewable energy deployment is growing faster in developing and emerging economies than in advanced economies, with some developing countries overtaking Western counterparts.
It shows that three-fourths of developing economies’ energy demand is in the “sweet spot” of change based on their level of fossil fuel imports, income and available renewable resource. The research finds these developing economies* – across Latin America, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia – display key traits and trends. Continued …
Thailand’s budding mangrove restoration plans spark both hope and concern
Standing on a coastal boardwalk overlooking the upper Gulf of Thailand, Wisut Leksomboon points to two mature mangrove trees whose branches intertwine like lovers’ limbs.
“We found that by planting two seedlings close together, they can offer each other support as they grow. These trees are about 30 years old,” Wisut said at the Mangrove Nature School in Bang Kaew, a village roughly two hours’ drive south of Bangkok in Samut Songkhram province. As a founder of the eco-school and a local leader, Wisut has worked for more than three decades to preserve a 6.4-hectare (15.8-acre) patch of mangrove forest next to his village. Continued …
Water crisis threatening world food production
Inaction on the water crisis could put more than half of the world’s food production at risk by 2050, experts warned in a major report published Thursday. “Nearly 3 billion people and more than half of the world’s food production are now in areas where total water storage is projected to decline,” said the report by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW).
The report also warned the water crisis could lead to an 8%t drop in GDP on average for high-income countries by 2050, and as much as 15% for lower-income countries. Disruptions of the water cycle “have major global economic impacts,” said the report. Continued …
Global coral bleaching event expands, now the largest on record
The mass bleaching of coral reefs around the world since February 2023 is now the most extensive on record, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said this week.
A staggering 77% of the world’s coral reef areas – from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Indian oceans – have so far been subjected to bleaching-level heat stress, according to satellite data, as climate change fuels record and near-record ocean temperatures across the world. Continued …
Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging
Thailand’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a significant shift toward sustainability, as regulatory pressures and consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging continue to rise. With sustainability increasingly at the forefront of business strategies, industry leaders like Tetra Pak Thailand are taking significant steps to drive the adoption of circular packaging solutions.
Underlining the trend, 90% of respondents in a recent survey stated that they choose sustainable feature as essential/nice to have when deciding to make a purchase, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Continued …
Time to deal with e-waste
Electrical appliances, from television sets to refrigerators, mobile phones to tablet computers, have become an essential part of our daily lives. However, most consumers aren’t aware of what happens to the obsolete gadgets that they have discarded.
A lot of electronic waste, in fact, contain toxic, heavy elements, such as nickel, cadmium, lead and mercury, along with traces of precious metals like gold and silver. Continued …
Bangchak Turns Cooking Oil Waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Bangchak Corp., a major player in Thailand’s energy sector, is set to utilize used cooking oil as a key ingredient in producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by next year. This initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the concept of a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources.
Through its subsidiary, BSGF, responsible for SAF production and distribution, Bangchak recently formalized an agreement with New Biodiesel to procure used cooking oil from Thailand’s southern provinces. This move follows Bangchak’s strategic acquisition of a 45% stake in Thanachok Vegetable Oil, New Biodiesel’s parent company, which focuses on palm oil and used cooking oil collection. Continued …
Grab Launches EV Fleets in Five Major Cities
Grab Thailand is accelerating the expansion of its EV program by introducing an “End-to-End Rental” model, designed to encourage drivers and riders outside Bangkok to transition to electric vehicles. This initiative is made possible through strategic partnerships with STROM, a leader in EV technology and manufacturing in Thailand, and AutoDrive EV, a prominent electric taxi rental provider.
The model allows Grab drivers to rent electric motorbikes for food delivery in Pattaya, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, and Korat, and electric taxis for transport services in Phuket. Currently, over 3,000 drivers in upcountry provinces are using electric vehicles, with plans to extend to Chonburi, Surat Thani, Songkhla (Hat Yai), and Udon Thani by next year. Continued …
Asian Governments Vie for Leadership in the Electric Vehicle Industry
Asian governments are engaged in intense competition to gain supremacy in the fast-expanding electric vehicle market, with the goal of leading both the Asian and global EV markets.
To dominate the electric vehicle (EV) industry, local governments are implementing incentive plans for manufacturing and production. One of the most recent cases is Thailand, which has implemented significant tax exemptions for EV production, reducing the excise tax from 8% to 2% for models priced under Bt2 million ($58,500). Continued …
Addressing the Charging Infrastructure Challenge in Asia’s EV Market
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is a cornerstone of Asia’s strategy to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, one of the most significant barriers to EV adoption is the development of a reliable and accessible charging infrastructure.
China, leading the charge, has implemented policies and initiatives that include subsidies, tax incentives, and research funding to stimulate the EV market. The new energy vehicle (NEV) mandate requires automakers to produce an annually rising percentage of EVs, which has encouraged both domestic and international investment in EVs and the necessary charging infrastructure. Continued …
Chinese EV Manufacturers Are Outpacing VW, BMW, and Mercedes in Technology
China’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are rapidly outpacing established European giants like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes in technological innovation.
Companies like NIO and BYD are not only leading in battery technology but also in smart features and autonomous driving capabilities. This agile approach allows them to respond more swiftly to consumer preferences, integrating cutting-edge technology at a fraction of the cost. Continued …
FedEx Expands Electric Vehicle Fleet in Thailand
Federal Express Corp., one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has advanced toward its vehicle electrification goals by introducing four new zero-tailpipe emissions electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet in Thailand. The expansion builds on the success of its initial launch of EVs in 2022 as part of the company’s efforts to transition to an all-electric parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet by 2040.
The new EVs will support parcel PUD operations within high-traffic areas in Bangkok and Pathum Thani such as Chaeng Watthana, Tiwanon, Lat Phrao, Ram Inthra, Ngam Wong Wan, Prasert Manukit, Sukhonthasawat, Thammasart, and Chiengrak. Designed for last-mile deliveries, the EVs have an estimated range of up to 275 kilometers on a full charge. Continued …