2023 General Election: Which political party is ‘greenest’?

Droughts, floods and forest fires can all be put down to climate change.

Extreme weather last year served as a warning to mankind. Temperatures in Europe rose to more than twice the global average in 30 years, while Thailand suffered big floods in the eastern region.

This year, wildfires in the North are becoming a big challenge for candidates vying to become the next PM.

What Thailand has done so far

Like many countries, Thailand has committed itself to address environmental challenges.

The outgoing government’s 20-year National Development Plan (2017-2036) includes a section on “green growth”, which supports sustainable development.

Thailand also launched a Climate Change Master Plan (2012-2050), which is a framework of integrated policies and action plans related to climate change.

Internationally, Thailand pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions during the 26th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland in 2021.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha told the summit that Thailand aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or before 2065.

Thailand has also been employing eco-friendly methods, including alternative farming, the use of carbon credits and storing carbon underground.

Calls from green campaigners

Despite these efforts, some environmental activists say they are insufficient.

The environmental advocacy group Greenpeace Thailand says the government’s actions are ineffective and primarily benefit big businesses.

Hence, Greenpeace is calling on political parties to develop policies that address six core climate issues.

These issues are climate justice (just distribution of the burden of climate change), justified energy transition, air pollution, plastic pollution, transboundary pollution, especially in the Mekong Basin, and communities’ rights to local marine and coastal resources.

“Greenpeace is keeping an eye on parties’ policies that are campaigning, particularly regarding the environment and wellness of people,” the group said on its website.

As per the Greenpeace Thailand report, none of the 20 environmental policies that political parties had promised while campaigning for the 2019 election have been implemented.

Now, as the May 14 general election is approaching, most political parties have come up with environmental policies. Here The Nation looks into what eight leading parties are offering.

What 8 key parties have to offer environmentally

Palang Pracharath

Increasing water storage areas like reservoirs

Reforming the land ownership system

Creating a ‘water map’ for communities to prevent drought and flood

Democrat

Using renewable energy 

Supporting carbon credit use 

Promoting green economy

Chart Thai Pattana

Promoting the use of clean energy

Building more parks

Promoting sustainable tourism

Bhumjaithai

Distributing free solar cells to households

Boosting number of electric buses and boats

Reducing the price of EV bikes to 6,000 baht

Pheu Thai

Reducing the tax for cars with lower-than-average pollution

Promoting the use of EV cars

Pushing ‘Clean Air Act’

Move Forward

Banning the burning of farm waste in 1,000 subdistricts by 2026 

Achieving Thailand’s net-zero goal by 2050 

Promoting the use of clean energy

Thai Sang Thai

Cutting the rate of electricity to 3.5 baht/unit

Employing technology in agricultural sector

Improving irrigation system 

Chart Pattana Kla

Launching forest bonds for investors

Increasing forested area by 40%

Using burnt forest areas to grow corn