How is Thailand fighting global warming?

The sustainability sector in Thailand is rapidly expanding as a measure to combat the impacts of global warming within the nation.

In this sense, Thailand has carried out different initiatives to fight various environmental issues. Green tech has been playing a key role in tackling global climate change, carbon emission and greenhouse gasses.

• 🌳 Promoting Renewable Energy: Thailand aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and has set ambitious goals for renewable energy development. The government plans to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix from 20% in 2022 to 30% by 2036. This includes promoting solar, wind, and biomass power generation.
• 🚗 Transitioning to Electric Vehicles: Thailand is actively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. The government offers incentives for EV purchases and plans to increase the number of charging stations nationwide.
• 🌳 Conserving Forests and Peatlands: Thailand recognizes the importance of forests and peatlands in carbon sequestration and is working to conserve and restore these ecosystems. The government has implemented policies to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable forest management.

Thailand is actively combating global warming through a variety of initiatives. The country has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from projected business-as-usual levels by 2030, with the potential to increase this reduction to 40% with international support. This commitment is part of Thailand’s enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.

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These efforts are complemented by the proposed Climate Change Act, which aims to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and foster green finance mechanisms through instruments like the Sustainability Bond.

The main challenges behind climate change

One of the main problems within the country in terms of the environment and global warming has been known as greenhouse gas emissions.

The accumulation of these types of gasses tends to have a direct impact on the lives of living beings on the planet, potentially causing environmental disasters of various magnitudes.

One of the main consequences of the same in Thailand is the heavy rains that the country has every year, finally resulting in floods and economic losses amounting to millions, and can also be triggers for other natural disasters such as tsunamis.

Likewise, over the past few years, 23% of the country’s coastal areas have been impacted by erosion, losing 1 to 5 meters of land each year, potentially resulting in economic damages of up to THB 6,000 million each year.

Climate change can also affect various industries such as agriculture and cultivation by creating less fertile soils. As a direct consequence the rotting of crops due to excessive rains and sugar cane suffering prolonged droughts.

UNDP reported that the sector that produces the highest number of greenhouse gas emissions is the energy sector, being responsible for more than 60% of emissions, the agriculture sector produces 15.69%, the industrial processes and product use sector 10.77%, and the waste sector 4.88%.

Thailand main initiatives to tackle the global warming

Thailand is taking steps to address the impacts of climate change, which is expected to affect the country’s economy, agriculture, and people’s health. Here are some ways Thailand is fighting global warming:

• Renewable Energy: Thailand has set a goal to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 30% by 2037. The country is investing in solar, wind, and biomass power generation to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
• Carbon Emissions Reduction: Thailand has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20-25% by 2030 compared to projected business-as-usual levels. The country has already achieved a 7-20% reduction in emissions in 2020.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Thailand is promoting sustainable agriculture practices to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. This includes the use of organic farming methods, crop rotation, and conservation agriculture.
• Water Management: Thailand is implementing measures to manage its water resources more efficiently, including the construction of dams, water storage systems, and water-saving technologies.
• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: The Thai government is investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as sea walls, flood-control systems, and early warning systems, to protect its cities and communities from the impacts of climate change.
• Education and Awareness: Thailand is raising awareness about climate change through education and public campaigns, encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint.
• International Cooperation: Thailand is working with other countries to address global climate change, participating in international climate agreements and sharing its experiences and expertise with other countries.

Over the years, the country has carried out various initiatives to fight against global warming and carbon emissions. Some of the main initiatives carried out by the country have been:

Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): Thailand has committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20-25% from projected business-as-usual levels by 2030. This commitment is part of Thailand’s NDC under the Paris Agreement.

Decarbonization Strategies: The country is actively pursuing decarbonization in various sectors. For instance, in the transport sector, Thailand is increasing domestic electric vehicle production. There are also efforts to promote solar rooftop installations and net-metering, as well as sustainable agronomy practices.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Thailand has launched support mechanisms such as feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and access to investment grants and venture capital to promote renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.

Climate Change Act: Thailand is in the process of passing the Climate Change Act to regulate mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions, which will further solidify its commitment to tackling climate change.

Thailand 4.0 policy: Thailand has made significant strides in integrating sustainability into its economic development plans. The government’s Thailand 4.0 policy aims to transform the economy into one that is innovation-driven and sustainable. Central to this vision is the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, which focuses on leveraging biological resources, circular economy principles, and green technologies.

The role of green technology in climate change

Green technology is usually defined as environmentally friendly tech, whose use is intended to mitigate or reverse the effects of human activity on the environment.

Some of the main areas within various industries in Thailand where it is combating global warming are:

• Renewable Energy Development: Thailand is harnessing solar, wind, and bioenergy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The development of renewable energy sources is crucial for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy use.
• Energy Efficiency: Green technology is being used to improve energy efficiency in various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial. This includes the adoption of energy-saving appliances, smart grids, and green building standards.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): The promotion of EVs is a part of Thailand’s decarbonization strategy. Green tech advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure are essential for the widespread adoption of EVs, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector.
• Smart Agriculture: Green technology is being applied in the agricultural sector to enhance sustainability. Precision farming techniques, water-efficient irrigation systems, and organic farming practices are reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

We can conclude by understanding that greenhouse emissions are one of the main problems in Thailand and the world. The country is taking different practices under new technologies such as green tech in the fight against global warming.