Thailand’s carbon dioxide emissions soar 6.7 per cent
Thailand emitted 131.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from January to June this year, up 6.7 per cent year on year, Energy Ministry permanent secretary Kulit Sombatsiri said on Tuesday.
He made the remark during the "EGCO Group Forum 2022: Carbon Neutrality Pathway" at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.
Kulit said the rise in emissions was due to an increase in energy consumption as the economy recovers.
Of the total emissions, 42.8 million tonnes came from electricity generation, followed by 42.6 million by the industrial sector, 39.2 million from transportation and others, such as 7.2 million from household, agriculture and commerce, he explained.
Thailand’s reliance on fossil fuels has also posed a challenge in achieving the carbon neutrality target, Kulit said, adding that the proportion of internal combustion engine vehicles in the country is still much higher than electric vehicles.
“To achieve the carbon neutrality target, Thailand must increase the use of renewable energy,” he advised.
Kulit said the ministry’s Energy Policy and Planning Office is working on a National Energy Plan (NEP), which is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.
The plan aims to help Thailand reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, boost entrepreneurs’ competitiveness and economic value, and reduce greenhouse gases in the long run.
“The NEP covers four policies: increasing renewable electricity production capacity by at least 50%, transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric ones, increasing energy efficiency by more than 30% and restructuring the energy business to support energy transition under 4D1E guidelines,” he explained.
4D1E stands for digitalisation, decarbonisation, decentralisation, de-regulation and electrification.
Kulit said the Energy Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation are working on applying the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage system for petroleum exploration and production in the Gulf of Thailand.
He added that Thailand is also working on using clean hydrogen fuel to cope with limitations in solar and wind energy.
“The National Energy Policy Committee recently approved a utility green tariff to collect fees on electricity produced from renewable energy, such as solar, wind, water, or biomass,” he said.
The demand for clean electricity is increasing despite the rising renewable energy price as many consumers are paying attention to climate change, Kulit said.
“All these efforts aim to help Thailand move toward the path of carbon neutrality,” he said.
Kulit expects the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt from November 6-18 to seek ways to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as providing financial support, developing personnel and exchanging technology.
He said the Environment Ministry will participate in COP27.
Earlier, Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said he would propose updated strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 during COP27, which is currently under review.
During COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Thailand pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 and reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2065.
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