Nation Group joins carbon neutral group

[S Landreth]

Nation Group becomes first Thai media group to join carbon neutral group

The Nation Group emerged as the first media outlet to join the Thailand Carbon Neutral Network (TCNN) after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the network to raise public awareness about environmental issues and attain net-zero emissions.

The MoU signing ceremony was held on Friday at Chaeng Watthana Government Complex.

TCNN chairman Worapong Nakchatree said that the network was founded to foster collaboration between the governmental, private, and local sectors in order to lower greenhouse gas emissions and achieve sustainable economic growth.

TCNN was set up by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) and is under the supervision of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Worapong, who is also the executive vice president of sustainability management at PTT, said that more than 440 organisations are partners with TCNN but Nation Group is the first media company among them.

Of TCNN's total number of partners, 91 have received certification as "Climate Action Leading Organisations". TGO certification demonstrates the companies have the leadership capacity to responsibly manage greenhouse gas emissions.

Worapong said that TCNN aims to attain net-zero emissions by 2065.

Thailand pledged during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP 26 in Scotland that it will meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065.

This partnership with Nation Group is an excellent chance to educate the public about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Worapong said.

Nation Group vice chairman Somchai Meesen said that, as a media group, the company has a responsibility to raise awareness about climate issues and that it has been doing so consistently.

Nation Group will continue to raise awareness through online, offline (Nation TV channel), and on-site activities, Somchai said.

Nation Group has 10 media outlets.

[DrWilly]

oh joy, soon to be another cut and paste global warming emergency mega thread for spamdreth.

[S Landreth]

¡Hola! climate denier

Seems your BBQed butt is still stinging after I handed it to you a couple weeks ago.

[S Landreth]

“Raising public awareness” - Found an article in The Nation (Thailand) which focuses on EV’s including a snip of Thailand’s EV sales figures

• Chinese carmakers energising Thailand's plan to create EV production hub

Chinese manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) are flocking to Thailand with several billions of baht in investment, helping to boost the kingdom’s goal of becoming the EV production hub of Southeast Asia.

The new wave of investment came after Thailand rolled out incentives in a bid to woo Chinese carmakers, with an ambitious target to convert about 30% of the country's annual vehicle production into EVs by 2030.

China's leading EV maker Great Wall Motor (GWM) has played a key role in helping Thailand attain the goal. In 2020, GWM acquired a General Motors factory in Rayong province, with a plan to spend 22.6 billion baht turning it into a regional production centre for EV and hybrid cars.

The Chinese automaker will start producing its popular compact Ora Good Cat EV in Thailand next year. It is also bringing in its subsidiaries – MIND Electronics, HYCET and Nobo Auto – which make electronics, powertrains and seating, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, GWM’s Chinese rival Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC Motor), a state enterprise that owns MG Motor and has a partnership with Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), launched its first EV in Thailand in 2019. SAIC Motor said in April that it is investing 500 million baht to expand its existing plant for EV parts and battery manufacturing in Thailand.

BYD, another Chinese EV giant, is investing 17.9 billion baht to set up a new facility in Thailand that will start producing 150,000 passenger cars per year from 2024, some of which will be exported to Southeast Asia and Europe, Reuters reported.

Also, Hozon New Energy Automobile from China's Zhejiang province is working with Thailand's Bangchan General Assembly to locally produce the electric NETA V model starting next year.

Many more EV investment deals involving Chinese automakers are in the pipeline, according to the Board of Investment (BOI). These include China’s state-owned Chongqing Changan Automobile, which has partnerships with Ford and Mazda. It plans to invest 9.8 billion baht to set up its first right-hand drive EV factory outside China.

GAC Aion, a subsidiary of state-owned Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), is planning to invest more than 6.4 billion baht to produce EVs in Thailand, according to the BOI.

Meanwhile, China's Chery Automobile is "very interested" to invest in Thailand and plans to enter the market early next year, the BOI said.

Geely, another Chinese automaker, is also in the early stages of planning an entry into Thailand, including weighing models for import and local manufacturing.

The influx of Chinese models appears to be helping to boost the popularity of EVs in Thailand, the second-largest car market in Southeast Asia, according to Reuters.

In the first half of 2023, over 31,000 EVs were registered in Thailand, more than three times the number for all of 2022, the BOI said, citing industry data. The price gap between EVs and combustion engine cars has also narrowed, in part because of government subsidies.

The cheapest variant of Great Wall's Ora Good Cat – Thailand's best-selling EV last year – currently costs around 828,500 baht, while Hozon's NETA V is priced at 549,000 baht, according to company websites.

[S Landreth]

Another article was recently posted in The Nation which raises public awareness.

• The greening of Laem Chabang Phase 3

Business and the environment often clash but with climate change and global warming becoming more evident by the day, the two unlikely partners are now being promoted together.
Krungthai Compass Research Center recently completed an analysis of potential business opportunities of the Laem Chabang Phase 3 infrastructure development focusing on the 'green port' environment-friendly concept to draw electric truck and battery production industries worth at least 18 billion baht.

It could also provide opportunities for companies related to the solar cell industry, such as businesses engaged in photovoltaic installation and construction, with an additional income of approximately 600 million baht from 2024 to 2035.

According to deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek, the government is seeking to speed up infrastructure projects in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in line with the plan to demonstrate Thailand's readiness to support future investments in infrastructure.

The infrastructure development of Laem Chabang Phase 3 seeks to align with the Green Port trend which aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions in three areas.

- Use of electric trucks and battery-swapping technology: If Laem Chabang Port switches to using electric trucks, about 10% or approximately 1,000 tonnes per day of diesel consumption can be saved, resulting in fuel cost savings of around 800 million baht per year and a reduction of approximately 48,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

- Use of solar power: The demand for solar power at Laem Chabang Phase 3 is projected to increase by an average of 11.1% CAGR by 2036, with an estimated investment of around 600 million baht. This would lead to a reduction of approximately 4,900 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

- Changing cargo transport systems to railways: The development plan for Laem Chabang Phase 3 includes the establishment of a Single Rail Transfer Operator (SRTO) for cargo transport by railway, enabling the port to handle up to 6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year, reducing transportation costs by around 1.2 billion baht per year and CO2 emissions by approximately 790,000 tonnes, similar to the government's plan for the port's rail transport development.

For the Laem Chabang Phase 3 development project, a public-private sector partnership is being pursued, with a total project value of about 110 billion baht, divided into approximately 50 billion baht invested by the state and about 60 billion baht by the private sector. The private sector includes GPC International Terminal Co Ltd, a joint venture between Gulf Co with 40% of the shares, PTT Tank Terminal Co with 30% and CHEC Oversea Infrastructure also with 30%. The timeline for the project has been delayed by about 2 years due to complications in the process of land reclamation.

The development direction of Laem Chabang Phase 3 is also aiming to be green, using the Rotterdam Model to implement clean energy, renewable energy, and further develop Green Hydrogen production and usage, making Laem Chabang Phase 3 the first 100% Green Port in Thailand. Various technological innovations will also be utilised to manage traffic and waste from port activities.

Investing in large-scale sustainable infrastructure not only means having a Green Port in Thailand but also benefits all other components of the economy, contributing to sustainable and collective growth.

[S Landreth]

'Zero-carbon' app can transform Thai tourism, experts say

Thailand's goal of becoming a carbon-neutral tourism destination is getting closer to reality with the “zero-carbon” application released earlier this month, officials say.

The mobile app, which was developed by a team comprising public and private organisations, elevates sustainable tourism by enabling businesses, communities, and tourists to calculate their own carbon emissions, said Supavadee Botiyaraj, chair of the tourism and creative economy planning subcommittee of the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office.

It can be used in tourism and some industrial activities, leading Thailand towards high-quality tourism, Supavadee said, adding that clear guidelines have already been established for its use.

Pakomon Suparbpun, director of the Low Carbon Business Certification Bureau, said the app will make it easier to access and trade carbon credits.

Payments for carbon credits can be made via mobile phones and banks, resulting in increased income for credit sellers, especially community-based initiatives that garner a lot of interest. Thai tourism operators can calculate their greenhouse gas emissions for net zero services offered to tourists, which would be more attractive to foreign tourists.

The value of carbon credit prices depends on the quality of the credit. Efficiently produced carbon credits are cheaper than those from communities, which are scarcer and require advance bookings. At the same time, forest regions serve as carbon sinks, which are harder to find and cost more than community carbon credits. The price of tourism carbon credits will depend on the satisfaction of both buyers and sellers and can range from 50 to 200 baht per tonne of carbon dioxide

Awareness of sustainable development and combating climate change issues led to Thailand's participation in the United Nations' Conference of the Parties, the decision making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and its commitment to implement long-term strategies to address climate change. Thailand is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.

Wasumon Nertkijchareon, president of the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association, explained that new tourism markets under the Bio-Circular-Green economic model in Phuket and Krabi route will be certified for tourists. This will be facilitated through the zero-carbon app, which makes the transformation from conventional to sustainable tourism possible, Wasumon said.

[S Landreth]

Looking forward……..

All Now goes green with new EV Vision project

All Now, the logistics arm of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) conglomerate, is aiming to become a leader in the green business by switching to electric trucks for distributing products to 7-Eleven branches and promoting sustainable environmental practices under its EV Vision project.

Tanate Piriyothinkul, CEO of All Now Group, said the company is committed to reducing environmental pollution by utilising electric energy instead of fossil fuels, as well as reducing air pollutants and logistics costs by transporting more goods per trip. The EV Vision project involves using large electric trucks with a range of 200 kilometres per charge, carrying up to 16 cubic metres of cargo.

The company has already initiated deliveries from the Bang Bua Thong distribution centre to over 20 7-Eleven branches and is planning to add its centres in Mahachai and Lad Krabang, covering over 700 branches in total. Their target is to have 100 electric trucks in service by the end of 2024 and install charging stations at each centre. Furthermore, they aim to extend electric transportation to other businesses within and outside the CP group in the future, becoming a leading green logistics company promoting environmental preservation by 2025, Tanate said.

[taxexile]

oh joy, soon to be another cut and paste global warming emergency mega thread for spamdreth.

spot on.

he should fly one of his private jets to china and bore them to death with his obsession.

[S Landreth]

oh joy

spot on.

two climate deniers

[taxexile]

Climate hysteria is a serious threat to mankind's survival
Wild claims will only serve to depress and alienate. The way forward has to be rational argument and human ingenuity

Is the climate-crisis campaign trying to undermine its own credibility? Are its exponents deliberately fomenting scepticism about their own arguments with absurd hyperbole? Or have they, out of sheer ill temper, just given up on persuasion and decided to resort to wild claims that arouse suspicion and hostility?

Consider two possible instances of this, both of which occurred within the past week. The secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, stated without any qualification that, “The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.” Boiling? What is it exactly that is boiling? The oceans? Freshwater lakes? The mains water in your pipes? Given that we are talking about supposed scientific fact here, what is the empirical basis for the use of the word “boiling”? And – a genuinely factual question – what effect is the use of that word, which has no basis in observable reality, likely to have on the discussion of global-warming policy, which is now becoming seriously contentious?

The second notable example: an official statement issued by the Meteorological Office attacking a widely reported article in the scientific journal Nature, which claimed that the Atlantic Ocean current system, which maintains mild weather in Europe, could collapse in two years. This claim was, said the Met Office (which generally supports the climate-change thesis), “overdramatised” and simplistic, and it went on to warn, in what I believe to be quite unprecedented terms, that such overblown theatrical pronouncements could undermine the public perception of climate science. You bet they could.

In fact, these statements are peculiarly irresponsible: if they are believed, they are (as the Met Office went on to point out) likely to induce despair and resignation in a population that is being urged to become [at][at]proactive. If they are disbelieved, they could lead to cynicism and a refusal to take seriously whatever threat there may actually be.

Coincidentally, these histrionic claims, and the crucial critical examination of them, occurred only days after environmental policy had a spectacular political setback in the Uxbridge by-election. In what was the first clear-cut democratic test of whether people will be prepared to accept the real cost of all this, they made their judgment clear enough to throw Government and Opposition policy on the environment into chaos. Party leaders are now falling over one another to insist that they fully understand the considerable popular concern about adding to the cost of living, blah-blah.

The power of free people to exercise their democratic will has suddenly shifted the parameters of the whole debate. So it is time to have a grown-up discussion, rather than what has prevailed until now: endless recriminations followed by demands that we dismantle the modern era and accept an existence that is not just pre-industrial but pre-agrarian, since the breeding of animals for food, which replaced the primitive hunter-gatherer model of survival, is also to be forbidden. Basic rule of political communication: do not suggest pauperising your electorate except under very temporary circumstances with clear objectives, such as fighting a war. Tony Blair, who knows a thing or two about winning elections, has been quick off the mark with this theme. In fact, no government, elected or otherwise, would survive for long on such a prospectus, for sound reasons: it is morally unacceptable to advocate a return to a time when life was truly nasty, brutish and short.

But there is more at risk in the zero-sum solution of destroying prosperity and economic growth than mere electoral unpopularity. The new proper conversation will have to address another of last week’s developments. The wildfires in southern Europe, which may in part have been caused by arson and an exceptional jet-stream pattern, were almost certainly exacerbated and prolonged by what was an extreme (but not necessarily record-breaking) heatwave.

Most people accept that there is considerable evidence for the measurable rise in global temperatures to be attributed at least in part to increased carbon emissions, even though the traditional means of proving a causal relation between two phenomena – repeating an experiment in order to replicate the original result, while eliminating other variables – is obviously impossible in this case.

But even on this moderate global-warming thesis, in which carbon in the atmosphere increases the effect of extreme dangerous events, there is certainly a rational case for addressing the problem. And as everybody is now saying, the answers must lie with human ingenuity and resourcefulness, which have proved over the millennia to be virtually limitless.

The first stage of the argument must be about priorities: choosing between adaptation and innovation. Do we accept that there will be changes in the conditions of life on earth that require the migration of populations, as there have been in countless earlier eras, with all the political and economic upheaval that will entail? Or do we try to interfere with those changes in ways that might involve drastic reinvention and use of resources, which will have to be universally accepted and enforced, perhaps by quite new international authorities?

Both of these options, or any combination of the two, are going to be very expensive. The world is going to need to create wealth on a spectacular scale in order to cope with mass migrations, or to conduct the sort of innovative research and instrumental application of that research that the new conditions will require. The engineering and manufacture of whatever is needed will demand investment, economic confidence and courageous foresight – the direct opposite, in other words, of self-imposed poverty.

If the climate campaigners are anywhere near being right, there are huge questions with profound implications for democratic governments, which must – even in the most dangerous circumstances – take people with them in willing consent. This is not the moment for hysteria, or for insulting the intelligence of ordinary people, or alienating them with accusations of selfishness and ignorance. Problem-solving is a function of rational thinking. It’s time to get on with it.

The Telegraph

[S Landreth]

^The Telegraph, again?

Author of the piece you posted was Janet Daley who was sued for plagiarism (multiple times).





Janet Daley was born in America, and taught philosophy before beginning her political life on the Left (before moving to Britain, and the Right, in 1965) - all factors that inform her incisive writing on policy and politicians.

[taxexile]

thats right, look the messenger rather than the message. you deluded duffer.

the climate variations that fuel your obsessions are not going away any time soon, they may or may not be influenced by industrial activity, but ceasing such activity in an experiment to see if it will affect climate changes not an experiment that will end well, it will end in disaster especially if it is only the relatively small countries with a small industrial base that are part of the experiment.

the inhabitants of the uk and thailand will not react well to the hardships and impoverishments such experiments will cause, all the while watching china, india and the us enrich themselves.

all the measures envisaged and legislated for so far merely shift the causes believed, but not conclusively proven to be responsible, to another location.

far better to accept the changes to the climate as unstoppable, as they most definitely are, and adapt accordingly at a sensible pace, because we are not going to stop eating meat, driving, flying, heating and cooling our homes or using vast amounts of electricity any time soon. changing habits is a slow process, ill thought out legislation enacted too fast cannot work and it will not be accepted.

[S Landreth]

adapt accordingly

you got that from the fvckin’ philosopher

[S Landreth]

MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023

Two events to turbocharge Thailand's switch to EVs, clean energy

Thailand will hit the accelerator on its transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy with two international events in Bangkok from next month.
The ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week (ASEW) and Electric Vehicle Asia 2023 (EVA) will run from August 30 to September 1 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The focus of the industry exhibition and conference will be renewable energy, sustainability, efficient energy use, and EV technology.

A collaboration of the Energy Ministry and Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, the event comes amid a rash of heatwaves, droughts and natural disasters across regions worldwide that scientists attribute to deepening climate change.

Electric Vehicle Asia 2023 will display the latest technology from the world’s leading and most advanced EV manufacturers.

To combat climate change, Thailand is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.

The Energy Ministry is currently working on the National Energy Plan (NEP) to strengthen energy security and sustainability, focusing on increasing the share of renewable and clean energy for electricity generation to at least 50% by 2050. Thailand also aims to raise its production of EVs to 30% of total autos manufactured by 2030.

Electric vehicles are receiving broad interest from both consumers and investors, said Utain Supatti, vice president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT). He cited the fast-expanding charging network, which surpassed 4,600 stations as of May.

The government has introduced incentives, such as cutting excise tax on EVs from 8% to 2% and providing an 18,000-baht subsidy for EV buyers.

The ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2023 has received strong interest from government, consumers and business, said Sanchai Noomboonnam, general manager of its organiser, Informa Markets (Thailand). Excellent responses from all sectors. The theme of the event is "Powering the Clean Energy Transition Towards Carbon Neutrality Goal".

[S Landreth]

• Thai Union's Sustainability Report detailing progress and outlines new goals

Thai Union Group PCL has published its Sustainability Report for 2022, examining the progress achieved during the year while also detailing new ambitious goals under SeaChange 2030, the Company’s refreshed sustainability strategy.

SeaChange 2030, which is backed by THB7.2 billion (US$200 million) of funding is setting aggressive new goals that will impact the entire seafood value chain on a global scale.

The report provides an in-depth look at how Thai Union, one of the world’s leading seafood producers and one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products, continued to drive positive change across its own operations and the global seafood industry during 2022.

“Thai Union is a Company with great ambition, and our global sustainability strategy is an integral part of our goal to become the world’s most trusted seafood leader,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union Group.

“To achieve that goal, we must continue to be an industry leader, and this report demonstrates how Thai Union has continued to develop and implement initiatives and programs that deliver the positive change that will help transform the seafood industry. We recognize that there continue to be enormous challenges, but we have the ambition to tackle them, as evidenced by our new SeaChange 2030 strategy, which was announced last month.”

During 2022, the Thai Union delivered several significant achievements, including:

• Beginning the full implementation of the Employer Pays Principle to ensure that no worker pays for a job.
• Submitted short-term and long-term climate change targets to the Science Based Targets Initiative for verification and approval.
• Entered a partnership with Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to further improve transparency across Thai Union’s supply chains.
• Conducted the first-ever at-sea audit to assess working conditions and welfare of the crew on longline vessels.
• Published the Company’s first Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report.
• Reduced our greenhouse gases for Scope 1 & 2 by 7 % in absolute terms in 2022 compared to 2021.
• Increased the percentage of tuna purchased from vessels equipped with electronic monitoring and/or human observers from a 71 % baseline in 2021 to 79 %.

“We’re proud of the progress Thai Union continued to make in 2022, and our new Sustainability Report details the Company’s performance against key performance indicators and targets,” said Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability Officer, at Thai Union.

“We’re also excited as we look ahead, and the release of SeaChange 2030 and its 11 interconnected goals provides us with enormous momentum as we continue to drive positive change for both people and the planet.”

Thai Union’s progress was recognized last year, with the Company listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the ninth straight year and ranked No.1 in the world in the food industry. This has made the Company ranked in the top 1 % of more than 7,800 companies assessed in S&P’s Global Sustainability Yearbook 2023. Moreover, the Thai Union was also included in the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the seventh consecutive year.

[S Landreth]

CPF cage-free eggs win Asia’s first carbon-neutral stamp

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), Thailand’s top food producer, has declared that it is the first company in Asia that can label the eggs it sells as carbon neutral.

The eggs sold under CPF’s U Farm brand reportedly meet its goal to provide quality protein at affordable prices, while respecting animal rights and environment protection regulations.

Somkid Wannalukkhee, CPF senior vice president, said recently that the company had won this green label from its efforts to develop a line of low-carbon products to mitigate any impact on the environment.

To achieve this, he said, CPF has employed several measures and practises at its egg factory, including using automated conveyors, adhering strictly to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s food loss regulations, recycling egg shells, packaging with recycled paper, as well as using renewable energy and biofuel.

The cage-free and carbon-neutral label on CPF’s egg products also gives Thai consumers more options to consume high-quality protein that is not just good for health but is also friendly to animals and the environment, he said.

"Apart from producing chemical-free, healthy products, CPF wants to lend a hand in addressing global warming,” Somkid said.

He explained that by producing carbon-neutral eggs, CPF wins carbon credits to offset residual carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing process until the disposal of packaging waste.

As a result, the product’s greenhouse emissions are zero.

Eggs produced under this system create 30% less emissions than those produced conventionally.

Through this practice, CPF managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 617,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent last year.

Furthermore, cage-free eggs ensure consumers that egg-laying hens live in a healthy, cruelty-free environment.

There are some 818 CPF products that are undergoing international assessment, while more than 56 have been certified under carbon labelling and two egg products are classified as carbon-free.

Somkid said CPF aims to ensure 40% of its revenue comes from green products by 2030.

[S Landreth]

PTT to plant 86,173 rai of forests in 2023

Oil and gas giant PTT is planning to plant 86,173 rai of forest this year to accelerate the company’s bid to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
PTT President and CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon said on Wednesday that the company's reforestation project aims to rehabilitate the ecosystem and increase natural resources for absorbing carbon dioxide.

He said PTT aims to reforest 2 million rai nationwide by 2030, of which 1 million rai will come from PTT and the other 1 million rai from its subsidiaries.

Combined with the existing 1 million rai, the forest would absorb around 20% of Thailand’s total Thailand's greenhouse gas emissions or more than 4.15 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, he said.

He added that the forest will help develop watershed areas, boost biodiversity and create economic value for the community worth more than 1 million baht per year.

Auttapol said the project had recently been implemented in three national forests in Lop Buri, namely Wang Phloeng, Muang Khom and Lam Narai. A total of 413 rai of forest was allocated by the Royal Forest Department, he added.

PTT aims to add 86,173 rai of forest nationwide this year, he said, adding that the company will register its forest on the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation's Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Programme (T-VER).

Apart from growing 25 tree species in those areas, the company also built a weir to boost biodiversity and benefit saplings during the wet season.

He added that the company will trade carbon credits of 45 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent as compensation.

PTT has strictly adhered to its mission of maintaining energy security, as well as taking care of society and the environment over the past 45 years, he said.

The company is ready to support Thailand's bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing business best suited to a low-carbon society, he added.

[S Landreth]

MOF seeks budget to support EV subsidies pending new govt

With the available funding for EV subsidies soon to be exhausted, the Finance Ministry plans to propose a supplementary budget to the Cabinet for approval while Thailand awaits the formation of a new government.

This additional funding aims to further promote electric vehicle measures, in line with the EV 3.0 policy, which provides subsidies for purchasing electric vehicles at a maximum of 150,000 baht per vehicle.

If the Cabinet approves the proposal, it will be forwarded to the Election Commission (EC) for authorisation. The likelihood of approval is high since these measures are part of an ongoing policy.

The electric vehicle market in Thailand has been expanding consistently, particularly since the government implemented measures to subsidise EV prices for both electric bikes and electric cars. The registration numbers for electric cars have seen a significant increase, with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) registering 43,045 units, a growth of 487.65% compared to the same period last year. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) increased by 41.02%, with 46,140 units, and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) increased by 5.46%, totaling 6,272 units during the January-June 2023.

The support budget for 2024 of an estimated 3 billion baht is under consideration pending evaluation of the number of vehicles and companies participating in the scheme. Initially, approval will be sought during the caretaker government period, with at least 1 billion baht allocated for support in the fourth quarter of this year.

The EV 3.0 measures are set to expire on December 31, 2023, but the funding for EV purchase subsidies will end this September due to increased public interest in electric vehicle purchases, leading to the depletion of the support funds before the end of this year.

[S Landreth]

Banking industry promotes sustainable financial products

Kasikorn Research Centre believes that the development of financial products for sustainable growth is less likely this year as a result of the political uncertainty affecting both government and private sector investments.

However, that belief comes with a proviso: Progress is possible, the Centre says, with the establishment of a new government and the introduction of policies promoting various dimensions of greenhouse gas reduction, including private sector engagement.

Looking ahead, challenges in developing a significant sustainable financial market in Thailand arise from complexities and higher costs compared to regular debt issuance. Moreover, there are limited projects falling within the scope of interest, resulting in a lower proportion of sustainable financing in Thailand.

Despite being less extensive compared to the global scale, the presence of a suitable taxonomy and support from the government can accelerate the development and transition towards sustainable goals for both businesses and the country.

This aligns with the Bank of Thailand's policy of supporting the economy towards sustainability while simultaneously addressing environmental opportunities and risks. The financial sector policy includes evaluating environmental impacts and opportunities as part of decision-making and operations, along with providing necessary and sufficient financial products and services to stimulate and support business adaptation.

Financial institutions have announced an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) declaration, focusing on environmental, social, and ethical considerations. The declaration sets a clear direction for the banking industry to align with Thailand's environmental goals using a colour code system.

Green indicates environmentally-friendly activities in line with the Paris Agreement, such as solar energy production. Yellow represents activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while red indicates environmentally harmful activities that need gradual reduction, such as coal-based energy. Initiating change is not simple, just as with green finance, which is at the beginning stages and has potential for significant progress. However, cooperation from multiple components is necessary to achieve sustainable financial goals.

[S Landreth]

Excise Dept mulls carbon tax on oil refineries and EV batteries

The Excise Department aims to promote ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals through the implementation of a carbon tax facility, along with the establishment of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) team, to develop a globally standardised tax structure.

This initiative targets taxing carbon emissions released by oil refineries and proposing a carbon tax on EV batteries to address EV waste disposal issues in the future.

The European Union (EU) will begin testing its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from October 1, 2023, for seven product categories: aluminium, steel, cement, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen, and other upstream goods like nuts and screws made of steel. The Excise Department's director general, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, emphasised that this carbon tax facility aligns with ESG principles, focusing on environmental, social, and governance aspects.

In the pursuit of sustainable development and environmental concerns, the Excise Department is also exploring the idea of carbon taxation for the energy and transport sectors, given that Thailand currently emits around 400 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, with energy and transport accounting for 65-70% of these emissions.

The carbon tax structure would be internationally standardised and encompass various types of energy sources, such as biodiesel, or E20, based on their carbon emissions. The Excise Department's goal is to establish a system that can effectively control carbon emissions at the refinery level and encourage a greener approach to energy consumption.

Ekniti also mentioned that while EVs help reduce carbon emissions, there is a potential future issue with EV batteries becoming waste. To mitigate this, the department is developing a tax structure for EV batteries to encourage recycling and proper disposal. The carbon tax facility and EV battery taxation aim to align with global ESG trends, promote sustainability, and contribute to a greener and more environmentally friendly economy.

[S Landreth]

PTT and SC Asset to expand EV charging stations

Cherdchai Boonchuchuai, senior executive vice president of PTT’s Innovation and New Business division, recently revealed that Arun Plus and SC Asset Corporation (SC) plan to expand On-ion brand EV charging station business to housing projects, condominiums and office buildings.
PTT and SC Asset will install 40 EV charging stations in the first phase, commencing at the Sathorn-Wongwianyai intersection in the Sathorn business district, which are expected to provide services in early 2024, Cherdchai said.

PTT is committed to enhancing the readiness of electric vehicle infrastructure and continually reinforcing energy security for the future. The plan includes expanding comprehensive EV charging station services to shopping centers, hotels, office buildings, restaurants, and residential projects with over 400 charging points scheduled for installation in 2023. This initiative is part of PTT Group's efforts to drive Thailand toward the Net Zero Emissions target, according to Cherdchai.

Direk Tayakee, head of Technology Solutions at SC Asset, said SC Asset had been collaborating with On-ion since 2020 to develop products and services focused on customer needs and various residential solutions.

In the future, having EV charging stations at housing projects will be a significant factor for consumers when deciding to purchase houses or condos. Apart from the direct benefits that consumers receive, incorporating this technology is also environmentally friendly, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Direk added.

[spliff]

Glowbull worming is BS, but, I will concede that getting rid of plastics would be an optimal play.

[S Landreth]

^I think your credibility is kind of shot with all those reds

[spliff]

^I think your credibility is kind of shot with all those reds

Rep points? Not a fan.

[S Landreth]

^not a fan of science either