Nation Group joins carbon neutral group

**S Landreth** · 13-12-2024, 11:48 AM

A seat at the table – young people in Thailand call for a bigger role in climate action

Youth advocates today submitted climate action recommendations to the Royal Thai Government. The recommendations drew on a national Suan Dusit Poll of nearly 1,000 children and young people across Thailand, followed by one-to-one discussions between UNICEF and young representatives.

The poll found that 93 per cent of young people reported feeling the impact of climate change in their daily lives, affecting their mental and physical health and that 85 % were eager to take action. The recommendations therefore called for stronger measures to tackle the growing impact of climate change along with greater youth participation in decision-making.

The recommendations were submitted to the Department of Climate Change and Environment after the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November. The recommendations called for targeted climate policies that address the specific needs of children and youth - especially the most vulnerable - and proposed the creation of formal roles for young people in policy discussions to ensure their voices are heard and help shape future climate actions.

“The climate crisis affects all of us, but children and youth will bear the biggest brunt of its long-term impacts,” said Sippotai Ketjinda, a 23-year-old youth advocate who will join the Thai delegation to COP29 between the 17th and 19th of November. “That’s why we must be part of the solution. We need the Government to take real action and support us in leading climate initiatives that will protect our future.”

A UNICEF study in 2023 revealed that children in Thailand face heightened risks of flooding, drought, and increasingly frequent heat waves. Recent flooding and landslides across the country have already affected hundreds of thousands of children, and some schools destroyed. These crises underscore the need for targeted climate policies that protect children’s health, development, and well-being.

Further recommendations for the Government include improving climate education within and outside of schools, creating platforms for young people to exchange ideas and take action, providing financial and technical support to enable youth-led climate initiatives, and increasing investment, training and support to help children prepare for climate-related natural disasters.

“Children and young people are telling us loud and clear that they want to be part of the climate solution,” said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. “Their passion and ideas are powerful, but they need support, resources, and platforms to turn their visions into action. The recommendations they have developed are a call for the Government, businesses and everyone in society to work with them in creating a more sustainable and climate-resilient world. Their futures are on the line, and we must all come together to support them."

The latest poll and recommendations are part of UNICEF Thailand's #CountMeIn campaign, designed to amplify youth voices in addressing the climate crisis. Of the 994 young people aged 14-24 who participated in the Suan Dusit poll many reported that climate change hurt their physical and mental health, as well as disrupting their education, safety and family relationships. 63 % reported negative effects on health, 56 % reported difficulties in day-to-day living, and 41 % reported effects on their mental well-being.

Although children and young people expressed strong interest in taking action, 59 % had not yet participated in any climate-related activities, mostly due to a lack of resources and support, and limited knowledge on how to get involved or where to seek assistance.

In addition to the Suan Dusit Poll, UNICEF also conducted a U-Report Poll in August and September among 769 children and youth aged 13-24 across Thailand. The results closely mirrored the findings of the Suan Dusit Poll, further highlighting the climate impact on young lives and the need for young people to be part of climate solutions.

"Our voices today are the driving force for tomorrow's change,” said Asmanee Chesuemea, who attended COP28 in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. “Youth are not just victims of climate change but are key agents of transformation toward a sustainable future. It is crucial for the government and all relevant sectors to recognize the urgency of addressing this crisis through clear and actionable policies. This will help build hope, security, and a better quality of life for children and youth, both now and in the future."

UNICEF also urges the Thai government to join the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action—a global commitment to prioritize the rights, needs, and voices of young people in climate policy and action. First introduced at COP25 by the Government of Chile, the Declaration highlights the critical role of children and youth as change agents and recognizes the climate crisis as a child rights crisis.

A seat at the table – young people in Thailand call for a bigger role in climate action

**S Landreth** · 14-12-2024, 07:36 PM

Korea to invest 1 billion baht in EV, battery factory in Thailand

South Korean cosmetic company also planning to set up Thai factory, commerce minister says

A major South Korean automaker is in the process of investing US$30 million (1.02 billion baht) to set up a factory in Thailand for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery manufacturing, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said on Saturday.

Furthermore, a South Korean cosmetic company is also planning to set up a Thai factory under an undisclosed investment budget, he said.

The commerce minister did not reveal the names of the two companies.

Pichai said that during a discussion with South Korean Ambassador Park Yongmin and delegates held recently at the ministryÂ’s headquarters, the two parties agreed to work together to finalise the Thailand-South Korea economic cooperation framework by the end of 2025.

Thai and Korean delegates also vowed to re-establish a joint commerce committee between the two countries that had been disbanded for nearly 20 years, he said.

Korea to invest 1 billion baht in EV, battery factory in Thailand

Pichai said he also persuaded South Korean business leaders to invest in ThailandÂ’s target industries to enjoy full promotional privileges, including semiconductors, printed circuit boards (PCBs), medical and biotechnology industries, artificial intelligence, data centres, robotics, and creative industries.

In 2023, South Korea was ThailandÂ’s 12th-biggest trade partner, with a total trade volume of $14.74 billion. ThailandÂ’s exports to South Korea were valued at $6.07 billion, with key products including oil, rubber, sugar, PCBs and aluminium.

Meanwhile, the kingdom imported $8.67 billion worth of goods from South Korea in 2023, including iron, steel, PCBs, chemicals, machinery and components.

In the first 10 months of 2024, trade volume between Thailand and South Korea was valued at $12.96 billion, with $5.04 billion worth of exports and $7.92 billion worth of imports.

Korea to invest 1 billion baht in EV, battery factory in Thailand

**S Landreth** · 02-05-2025, 12:37 PM

Japan Launches Initiative to Support Thailand's Carbon Neutrality Goals

New AZEC-SAVE framework to drive energy efficiency and conservation investments across Thai industries

Japan has unveiled a new collaborative framework to assist Thailand in achieving its ambitious climate targets, bringing together multiple Japanese agencies to provide expertise and financial support for energy efficiency measures.

The Japan-led AZEC-SAVE (Asia Zero Emission Community - Smart and Advanced Value-chain for Environment) initiative aims to accelerate Thailand's transition towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065.

The programme was announced by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), in partnership with the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

This initiative bolsters the broader Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) platform established in 2023 by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which unites 11 nations including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Otaka Masato, Japan's Ambassador to Thailand, highlighted the shared ambition of both nations to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, noting the increasing electricity demands faced by both countries, particularly from energy-intensive data centres.

He emphasised Japan's experience and technology, developed during the oil crisis, as crucial in aiding Thailand's emission reduction efforts.

Thailand's Three-Phase Approach

Thailand's net-zero roadmap involves a comprehensive assessment of the country's energy landscape across three sectors:

In power generation (upstream), Thailand currently produces 60% of its electricity from gas, 20% from coal and 20% from renewables. The Power Development Plan 2024 aims to increase renewable energy to over 50% of the energy mix.

For power transmission and distribution (midstream), Thailand plans to enhance its transmission capabilities and transition to a smart grid, with state-owned enterprises leading these developments.

In electricity consumption (downstream), manufacturing accounts for 40% of Thailand's electricity use. Export-oriented factories are being encouraged to improve energy efficiency to address both direct and indirect emissions.

Beyond industry, commercial centres and hotels also present significant opportunities for energy savings through Japanese expertise and technologies.

Creating an Energy Efficiency Ecosystem

The Japanese delegation confirmed that AZEC-SAVE will provide personnel and financial cooperation to help Thailand reduce energy consumption.

Target beneficiaries include Japanese subsidiaries in Thailand, Thai companies and state enterprises, international firms, and industrial estates.

Japan offers a range of energy-saving products and services, supported by both public and private financial institutions, leasing companies, and governmental bodies. JBIC will play a key role in developing a comprehensive platform and ecosystem.

Japan Launches Initiative to Support Thailand'''s Carbon Neutrality Goals

**S Landreth** · Yesterday, 08:36 AM

Govt waives permit requirement for rooftop solar panels under 20 kg/m²

The government has approved a draft ministerial regulation allowing the installation of rooftop solar panels weighing no more than 20 kilograms per square metre without requiring a construction permit.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Polpornklang announced on Tuesday that the Cabinet had approved in principle the draft ministerial regulation under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 (1979), as proposed by the Ministry of Interior. The key provision states that installing solar panels on rooftops, with a total weight not exceeding 20 kg per square metre in any given area, will not be considered a structural modification of the building and therefore does not require prior approval.

Previously, regulations required that residential buildings installing solar panels—on areas not exceeding 160 square metres and with a total weight not exceeding 20 kg/m²—undergo a safety inspection certified by a licensed civil engineer. The results had to be reported to local authorities before installation.

This regulatory update comes as the government promotes increased use of renewable energy sources, aligning with national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Non-residential buildings such as factories and shopping malls, which consume large amounts of electricity, are expected to benefit the most from the relaxed rules.

Now, if solar panels installed on such buildings do not exceed 20 kg per square metre, they can be installed without a structural safety check, as this weight is considered safe and unlikely to affect roof integrity.

The change reduces procedural burdens on building owners and supports national policies promoting clean energy and emissions reduction. The Building Control Committee approved the move in its 1,550th and 1,551st meetings, held on January 25 and February 1, 2024, respectively.

Govt waives permit requirement for rooftop solar panels under 20 kg/m2

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