Thailand poised to pass first climate change law to tackle worsening disasters
Thailand is set to approve its first-ever climate change legislation, designed to tackle the growing environmental crisis and promote sustainable development across the nation.
The "Climate Change Act," which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the country’s resilience to climate impacts, is currently under review by over 30 government agencies before it is presented to the Cabinet for approval.The bill, which has been a long-awaited step in Thailand's climate policy, is poised to become a critical tool in the country’s efforts to combat global warming.
Once the bill is approved, it will create a "Climate Fund" designed to finance adaptation projects and facilitate the country’s transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future.Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment Dr Phirun Saiyasitpanich confirmed that this bill is crucial for Thailand’s response to climate change and will provide the necessary mechanisms to reduce emissions and support climate adaptation efforts across the country.He also highlighted the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters as a direct result of climate change, pointing to global examples that underscore the urgency of addressing the issue.In Thailand, the impacts of climate change have been felt through successive floods in the northern regions, causing severe economic losses, particularly in the tourism sector, with losses estimated at more than 5 billion THB (160 million USD).However, according to Dr. Phirun, the human toll, including the emotional and psychological stress on affected communities, is even more difficult to measure and overcome.The bill is expected to help Thailand access international climate finance to support adaptation plans, which are currently focused on six high-risk sectors: agriculture, water management, tourism, public health, natural resource management and human settlements. These sectors require significant government funding to build resilience to climate-related challenges.Dr. Phirun estimated that to achieve climate goals, ASEAN needs about 422 million USD, of which 290 million USD is for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more than 100 million USD for adaptation efforts.
