Thailand will raise its 2030 net-zero target

Thailand will take an ambitious step to protect the planet by raising its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The Kingdom will aim to cut emissions by 40 percent by 2030, a significant increase from its original 30 percent pledge, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa said last week.

The Kingdom will formalize the commitment at COP27, the next climate conference, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, during November this year. The Minister announced the country’s intention at a symposium in Bangkok on achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions organized by PTTGC, a Thai private sector chemical company.

“Thailand is aiming to raise its ambition to 40 percent by 2030, in which 30 percent will come from our domestic effort and 10 percent from international collaboration and support,” Varawut said.

“In Thailand we do not just talk. We walk the walk,” the Minister added. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is confronting us right here and right now.”

Thailand is the ninth most vulnerable country to climate-related catastrophes, according to the United Nations. As the only net food exporter in Asia, worsening natural disasters caused by climate change could disrupt global food security.

Under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Kingdom has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.

In addition, to advance sustainability and help protect the earth from climate change, the government has also made the Bio-Green-Circular (BCG) Economy the cornerstone of its national development strategy.

“We are calling on all sectors to foster transformative changes,” Varawut announced. “If not us, then who? If not now, then when? When we work together, it will be possible.”

Photo courtesy of https://sustainability.pttgcgroup.com/en/newsroom/news/