Bangkok, 30 November – 1 December 2022 | The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Asia, a fully-funded project by the European Union, and Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), an implementing partner of GCoM Asia project in Thailand, co-hosted the First Capacity Building Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand.
Over 41 city officials from 20 cities across Thailand received a two-day training on Climate Mitigation, focusing on the theme of Low Carbon Emission City. The training was facilitated by Thailand’s mitigation experts and researchers from TGO Climate Academy and Chulalongkorn University Energy Institute.
On the morning of the first day, Mr. David Daly, the Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand provided an opening remark in celebration of the commitment of the four Thai cities to become GCoM signatories: (1) Nakhon Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi Province; (2) Mueang Suphanburi, Suphanburi Province; (3) Mueang Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province; and (4) Mueang Mae Hia, Chiang Mai Province.
The Ambassador emphasised the shared climate ambitions between the EU and Thailand. The EU had raised its target of 55% emission reduction by 2030 to 57% and wants to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Similarly, Thailand also raised its emissions reduction target from 30% to 40% and confirmed carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065.
Through GCoM, he believed cities can ensure good living conditions, attract business, create jobs, and connect with nature by taking action to build sustainable, resilient, and green societies. By signing the commitment, the four cities pledge to implement policies and undertake measures to reduce or limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prepare for the impacts of climate change, increase access to sustainable energy, and track progress toward these objectives. The cities have pledged to set targets to be at least as ambitious as the Thai government’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and in line with National Adaptation Plans.
The four cities are the project’s pilot cities, in which the cities will receive support from the GCoM Asia Project and TGO for the development of their Climate Action Plans (CAP) which are expected to complete in 2023.
Mr. Kiatchai Maitriwong, Director of TGO, also reiterated Thailand’s efforts to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and net zero by 2065 through policies in the Climate Change Master Plan, the Environmentally Sustainable Transport Plan, the Power Development Plan, and the Alternative Energy Development Plan. He highlighted the role of global collaboration, such as the support from the EU through the GCoM Asia Project. He believes GCoM can provide necessary frameworks, methods, and communities where cities can share and accelerate climate action together. The training began with an introduction to the impact of climate change and an understanding of the city’s GHG emissions. The participants learned to become familiar with the terms and concepts as well as understand emission impact by sectors from the Carbon Detective Game.
On the second day, the city participants conducted the City Carbon Footprint Calculation and Analysis, in which they had to select technology and measures appropriate to different cities’ contexts and capacities. The workshop ended with a session on stakeholder analysis and engagement, in which they shared their cities’ environmental challenges, existing measures, and what they hope to bring back from the workshop to their cities.
In addition, the Thai cities also had an opportunity to learn about city green initiatives from the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands (represented by Mr. Sebastien Goethals), Iskandar Puteri City, Malaysia (represented by Mr. Safwan Shaari, Town and Country Planning Officer, Iskandar Puteri City Council), and Baguio City, Philippines (Mrs. Leticia, Urban Development Department City).
—
Written by: Thunpicha Pinniam
Reviewed by: Rona Ikram Putri
