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Today’s environmental news-June 5

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Today is World Environment Day

Today marks World Environment Day, initiated in 1973 by the United Nations Environment Program to create a global platform aimed at inspiring positive change.

This year’s theme spotlights land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. These themes remind governments around the world to meet the targets of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Continued … 

Technology gives a little hope for climate

It was technology that got us into this climate crisis, and it will be technology that gets us out of it. Specifically, technology that lets us go on living in a high-energy civilization without burning fossil fuels, and technology that keeps the heat from overwhelming us while we work toward that goal.

Solar, wind and nuclear power are already good alternatives to fossil fuels, and now a promising new contender is emerging. “Geothermal” power was once limited to countries with hot volcanic rock near the surface (Italy, Iceland, New Zealand), but now start-ups are going deep and doing a different kind of “fracking”. Continued … 

ASEAN needs ESG on climate change

The urgency of climate action hangs heavy over our planet. Asia, in general, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in particular, the world’s most densely populated region, are both highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and critical players in mitigating them alongside China and India.

The first Global Stocktake held at COP28 in Dubai marked a significant milestone in global climate action, with 18 countries in ASEAN and East Asia updating their nationally determined contributions, estimated to cost US$1.8 trillion by 2030. But can ASEAN truly meet its climate targets without wholeheartedly embracing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles? Continued … 

ThaiNamthip advances sustainability agenda and spearheads packaging circularity

Globally, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. Since the 1970s, plastic production has surged more rapidly than any other material.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimates that by 2050, plastic production could reach 1,100 million tons. Sadly, less than 10% of this plastic is recycled, with the remainder often ending up in the environment, particularly the oceans, which hold between 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste. Continued … 

BIG, RATCH Group partner to cash in on demand for clean energy

BIG, a climate-technology innovator and pioneer in driving energy transition in Thailand’s industrial sector, has formed a partnership with RATCH Group, a prominent energy and infrastructure company focused on creating value in the Asia-Pacific region.

The collaboration aims to meet future clean-energy demand in the industrial, transportation, and power-generation sectors, with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality and net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as fostering a low-carbon society in the future, the companies said. Continued … 

Carbon levy slated for 2025

The Excise Department is scheduled to impose a carbon tax by 2025. However, the overall oil tax burden is expected to remain the same, so the public is unlikely to be affected, said department Director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

Ekniti said the implementation of the carbon tax will be linked to the Global Warming Act, scheduled to be enacted in 2025. Continued … 

How Thailand is progressing toward carbon neutrality

Thailand is driving carbon neutrality by reducing emissions in agriculture, supporting emissions reduction technologies, boosting emissions reduction skills among the business and public sectors, and promoting green financing, the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) said on Tuesday.

The organization developed more than 400 programs under the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (T-VER) over the past 20 years, generating carbon credits of at least 18 million tons of carbon-dioxide equivalent. Continued … 

Hazardous waste Illegally buried in 5 provinces

Police are unearthing hazardous waste dumped or buried illegally in Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phetchabun and Rayong provinces, according to an assistant police chief.

Police Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabut said on Tuesday that police now had evidence that two companies, Win Process and Aek Uthai, had illegally buried industrial waste in the five provinces. Teams were locating and uncovering the waste. Continued … 

B.Grimm Power And Siam City Cement Join Forces For Industrial Solar Project In Saraburi

B.Grimm Power, a leading Thai renewable energy company, has partnered with Siam City Cement (SCCC), a major cement producer, to establish a joint venture named “Insee B.Grimm Solar.” This collaboration aims to develop a solar rooftop project and a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) project within SCCC’s plant located in Saraburi province.

The initiative highlights a significant step toward promoting the use of renewable energy in Thailand’s industrial sector. This project aligns with B.Grimm Power’s “Green Leap” strategy, which emphasizes fostering business cooperation to achieve sustainable growth and environmental responsibility. Continued … 

The Impacts of the US Tariff Hikes on Southeast Asian Economies

The U.S. recently announced a ballooning of tariffs on Chinese goods. The move will see tariffs quadrupling on electric vehicles (EV), tripling on lithium-ion EV batteries, battery storage and battery parts, and doubling on solar cells — as well as new tariffs on critical minerals.

Specifically, the U.S. will raise Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods imports, which have operated since 2018 to “encourage the elimination of the People’s Republic of China’s unfair technology transfer-related policies and practices”, and have affected US$370 billion worth of Chinese goods imports. Continued … 

PEA and EVme Collaborate to Boost Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in Thailand

The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and EVme Plus Co. have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on studying the provision of PEA VOLTA electric charging stations and related services.

The partnership marked a significant step in promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, aiming to offer comprehensive services and expand business opportunities to EV users nationwide through the PEA VOLTA application. Continued … 

Chinese automakers are ramping up electric vehicle production in Thailand

The Board of Investment (BoI) in Thailand is expecting a significant increase in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.

Companies like BYD, GAC Aion, and Changan Automobile are set to start producing EVs in Thailand, with production targets of 150,000, 50,000, and 100,000 EVs annually, respectively. Continued … 

Thailand Vows to Avoid “The Beach” Mistake with Jurassic World 4

While the Hollywood production team of the film “The Jurassic World 4” is expected to boost tourism to Thailand’s Trang, Phang-nga, and Krabi, the national park authorities will monitor the filming to protect the natural resources and minimize environmental impact in the long run.

Attaphol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that the film crew has already sent a letter requesting to use the national park area for filming the movie/ Police Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan, minister of Natural Resources and Environment, supported the request as it promotes tourism but emphasized that there should be no impact on natural resources and the environment. Continued … 

Kung Bang Kachao in Samut Prakan to be developed as ecotourism destination

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced plans to develop Kung Bang Kachao in Samut Prakan as an ecotourism destination to attract high-end tourists.

During his visit on Sunday, Srettha highlighted the area’s potential, which has been under-supported despite its environmental significance. The premier expressed an intention to discuss the matter with Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Tourism Authority of Thailand Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool yesterday. Continued … 

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