Thailand Vows Stronger Climate Action as COP29 Highlights Global Challenges

Baku, The Gulf Observer: Thailand has committed to intensifying its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions after a global assessment revealed that current actions fall short of meeting the targets set under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on made the announcement on Tuesday at the COP29 climate summit, organized by the United Nations in Baku.

Minister Chalermchai acknowledged the findings of the “global stocktake,” which evaluates progress toward climate goals. While the stocktake recognized near-universal advances in climate action, it also emphasized that the world remains off-track to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It further noted insufficient financial flows to help vulnerable nations build resilience.

Thailand’s Revised Climate Commitments

As part of its updated strategy, Thailand aims to:

• Reduce GHG emissions to below 270 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2035 compared to 2019 levels.
• Enhance its GHG sink in land use, land-use change, and forestry, targeting an additional 120 million tons of CO2e by 2037.
• Achieve its 2030 goal of cutting GHG emissions by 222 million tons of CO2e, focusing on five sectors: energy, transport, waste, industrial processes and product use, and agriculture.

To support these goals, Thailand plans to implement a comprehensive green investment plan aligned with its forthcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0, due in 2025. These contributions, described as the most critical opportunity to achieve the 1.5C target, are expected to feature more ambitious and actionable measures.

Climate Challenges and Vulnerability

Minister Chalermchai highlighted Thailand’s vulnerability to climate change impacts, citing record-breaking temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius, flash floods, landslides, and biodiversity losses, including a projected 50% decline in dugong populations due to diminishing seagrass habitats.

Despite contributing less than 1% of global GHG emissions, the minister emphasized Thailand’s commitment to the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”

A Call for Global Unity

The COP29 summit, which is set to conclude on Friday, has been marked by intense discussions over financing mechanisms to assist poorer nations in addressing climate challenges. Thailand’s enhanced climate targets reflect the urgent need for collective global action and equitable solutions to mitigate and adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change.

Minister Chalermchai’s address underscores Thailand’s determination to lead by example in the global effort to combat climate change, even as the world grapples with the immense challenges outlined at COP29.