In recent years, environmental issues have been increasingly prioritized, leading to positive results in the development of national policies in Thailand. Many draft environmental legislations, which were previously stalled, are now regaining momentum as key enablers to drive Thailand towards a more sustainable future.

As a key step in combating the climate change crisis, the Thai government has recently established the Department of Climate Change and Environment within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. This central government agency is dedicated to focusing on the country’s climate change efforts.

Following the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) in November 2021, almost 200 countries, including Thailand, announced their climate goals and made commitments to tackle climate change. Thailand has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. To support the government’s policy in this direction, various government agencies and public organizations, such as the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization, have been actively progressing efforts to realize Thailand’s sustainability goals through various schemes and measures that they are empowered to do under the relevant laws.

Discussion about and around sustainable development is more critical now than ever as governments around the world have announced their commitment to achieve carbon neutrality and net zero greenhouse gas emissions during the 26th United Nations Climate Change’s Conferences of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow, and Thailand is no exception. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced Thailand’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050 and have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.