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Interview of Sooksiri Chamsuk | 30/08/2024

Thailand's efforts in greening the economy

Portrait of Sooksiri Chamsuk

Amid the urgency of climate change and resource depletion, PAGE plays a significant role in facilitating the shift towards a greener and more circular economy as well as the greening of industry. As part of the PAGE framework, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) activities focus on providing industrial policy guidance to partner countries.

Thailand joined PAGE in 2019. The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is the Government focal point for PAGE. UNIDO and ILO are leading implementing agencies. UNIDO acts as the main coordinating agency for the PAGE project in Thailand.

Sooksiri Chamsuk, UNIDO Deputy Representative at Regional Hub in Thailand, tells us about UNIDO’s initiatives under PAGE in Thailand, such as the development of the carbon emissions trading scheme and the bio-circular-green economy workstream focusing on the agriculture sector.

Who is Sooksiri Chamusk?

Ms. Chamsuk has been with the UNIDO Regional Office in Thailand since 2008, serving as a regional programme officer and deputy representative since 2020. She engages with the United Nations Country Team and designs projects for resource mobilization. Collaborating with UN agencies like UNESCAP and UNDG, she focuses on SDGs, clean energy, green industry, climate change, and sustainable development across Cambodia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Previously, she worked at UNDP’s Regional Centre in Bangkok. She holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Energy for Sustainable Development and is pursuing a doctorate in Public Policy from the University of Bath.

Q1. How is UNIDO contributing to Thailand's green industry transition through its programmes?

I am proud to announce that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Thailand implements the largest decarbonization portfolio within the United Nations Country Team Thailand. With over USD 20 million dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across industries, transport (including electric vehicles), energy, and buildings, we are making significant strides towards a sustainable future by implementing innovative solutions and driving the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Leveraging this leadership and aligned with Thailand’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065, UNIDO is now actively exploring untapped and often overlooked sectors. These include areas such as construction waste and wastewater management, which holds significant potential for further reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving sustainable industrial practices. Additionally, our decarbonization programme prioritizes support for small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) still recovering from COVID-19. These SMEs play a crucial role in Thailand’s transition to a green industry, yet they face significant challenges in adapting to sustainable practices.

UNIDO through PAGE has supported Thai government in developing the carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) policy framework.

Our decarbonization programme prioritizes support for small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) still recovering from COVID-19. These SMEs play a crucial role in Thailand's transition to a green industry [...]

Q2. Could you highlight some of the key green industry initiatives that UNIDO has supported in Thailand under the PAGE framework?

UNIDO through PAGE has supported Thai government in developing the carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) policy framework. The objective of this work is to identify the additional policy framework that Thailand needs to prepare for implementing the system in the country, including legislation, institution, technology, capacity, finance, and communication. The recommendation will serve as a supporting document for decisions of the Government.

This UNIDO-PAGE workstream is focused on developing a mandatory cap-and trade system for carbon emissions, while also considering a carbon tax as a potential option for later phases. We will develop a sectoral carbon cap-and-trade profile for the country, detailing emission limits for selected sectors. The assessment will cover the carbon reduction capacity, necessary investments, trading systems, and the socio-economic context. It will also consider existing national plans, policies, and fiscal frameworks, along with ongoing activities, key players, and major gaps in implementing an emissions trading scheme (ETS).

Additionally, risks and opportunities related to the proposed ETS will be evaluated, with a specific focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and gender equality. The objective of this workstream is to develop a comprehensive strategy for carbon emissions reduction that aligns with national and international sustainability goals.

Q3. How do you foresee PAGE evolving in the coming years in Thailand?

Referring to the UNIDO-led PAGE initiative, particularly the bio-circular-green economy workstream focusing on the agriculture sector, we have engaged key stakeholders across government, private sector, academia, civil society, and media. Thanks to this workstream, UNIDO is now exploring a collaboration with the Department of Agriculture to develop climate-resilient and economically viable crop production. This could be considered a spin-off project from the UNIDO-led PAGE in Thailand.

Under this new collaboration, we will explore the impact of climate change on agriculture. To adapt to the changing climate, transformative shifts in current agricultural practices are necessary. We will also explore ways to increase farmers’ income, reduce product loss, and add value to agricultural products, especially through post-harvest processing based on the circular economy approach.

Additionally, we will create an entrepreneurial network to manage production and enhance the value of agricultural products. This will benefit farmers’ adaptive capacity and highlight the importance of transitioning to a green economy. The Department of Agriculture and UNIDO are excited about this emerging collaboration. I look forward to reporting on its progress in a year.

People standing together for a group photo

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