Thailand Thailand

Thailand ranks 25th in the current CCPI, up 17 spots and among the countries with a medium level of performance.

The country’s performance is mixed, with low ratings in the Climate Policy and Renewable Energy categories, but a high in GHG Emissions and Energy Use.

In August 2023, Thailand set up the Department of Climate Change and Environment to tackle climate change’s harmful impacts and fulfil the country’s climate pledges. The country’s nationally determined contribution (NDC), updated in 2022, includes an unconditional target of reducing GHG emissions by 30% by 2030, and a conditional target of 40% below ‘business-as-usual’ levels, which is subject to support from other countries and the UNFCCC. Thailand is targeting 2065 for net zero. The CCPI country experts feel this target requires more ambition.

Share of renewable energy is low

Thailand is directing efforts towards decreasing CO2 emissions in the energy sector, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The National Energy Plan of 2022 includes an aim of achieving at least 50% renewable energy for new power generation capacity by 2050, alongside increased use of electric vehicles. The current share of renewable energy in Thailand’s energy consumption is low, and the five-year linear trend indicates a decrease in renewable energy production rather than a much-needed increase. The experts say support mechanisms should be implemented to encourage investment in renewable energy. The government should also prioritise establishing decentralised energy systems, specifically a ‘net-metering scheme’ that allows smaller renewable energy producers to feed electricity into the national grid. The experts note that certain renewable energy projects result in human rights violations as they infringe on communities’ livelihoods.

Similar concerns arise regarding the 10-year national Cane and Sugar Strategy Plan (2015-2024), which advocates constructing 29 new sugar mills in the Isaan region, each with its own biomass power plant. Native people are concerned that this development will jeopardise efforts to promote organic farming, deplete communal resources, pollute water sources, and affect their communities’ long-term health and well-being.

Series of policy recommendations

Thailand has established a National Strategy (2018-2037) for forestry, with the goal of increasing forest and greenery coverage to up to 55% of the nation’s total land area.

To address the necessary climate action in Thailand, the CCPI experts formulated a series of policy recommendations, starting with a commitment to phase out coal by 2027 at the earliest and 2037 at the latest. Legislative bodies should also consider enacting ‘net metering regulations’ that enable households to produce clean, renewable electricity and have priority access to the grid to sell excess power. All power purchase agreements (PPAs) for new power plant development projects – including fossil gas, hydropower, and nuclear – should be suspended until both the long-term forecast of electricity demand and the power development plan have been revised with the active participation of affected communities, consumers, and key stakeholders in the decision-making process. A parliamentary commission on climate justice should be formed with members from diverse backgrounds to address the urgent need for action on climate justice.

It’s important to note that the Thailand´s improved performance can largely be traced back to new, updated data on the land, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sector.

Key Outcomes

  • Thailand ranks 25th in the current CCPI, up 17 spots and among the countries with a medium level of performance
  • In August 2023, Thailand set up the Department of Climate Change and Environment to tackle climate change’s harmful impacts and fulfil the country’s climate pledges
  • Key demands: commitment to phase out coal by 2027 at the earliest and 2037 at the latest

 

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

Key Indicators

CCPI 2024: Target comparison