Project News

The seminar was co-organized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Government (BMA) and JICA to promote the new Bangkok Climate Change Master Plan, which was developed with JICA's assistance, and to strengthen collaboration with private sectors with the aim of accelerating towards net zero emissions. It was organized on August 25th, 2022 at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok and 154 people attended on sight. It was also distributed online at the same time, and the number of online participants was 186 in the morning session and 128 in the afternoon session.

In the opening remark, a new Governor of Bangkok Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt who took office in May 2022, introduced various activities such as the promotion of private sector cooperation and tree planting campaigns involving citizens. He emphasized improving the lives of citizens by aiming for net zero emissions

A mayor of the City of Yokohama, Mr. Takeharu Yamanaka explained in a video message, Yokohama City's efforts to achieve net zero. He expressed his willingness to accelerate its effort together with BMA through city-to-city collaboration.

Mr. Kawabe, Deputy Representative of the JICA Thailand Office, explained the history of JICA's assistance to the BMA in the field of climate change and expressed his expectations for continuous cooperation with the BMA.

"Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt"

"Mr. Kawabe, Deputy Representative of the JICA Thailand Office"

"Press conference after the opening session (from left: Advisor to Governor Mr. Pornphrom, Governor of Bangkok Mr. Chadchart, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Thailand Mr. Tasaka, Deputy Representative of JICA Thailand Office, Mr. Kawabe)"

In the first half of Session 1; Mr. Watcharin Boonyarit, Director of Strategic Planning, Alternative Energy Development and Energy Conservation Bureau, Ministry of Energy, explained the national target of aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2030, 30% improvement in energy efficiency through the introduction of new technologies, and 30% share of EVs by 2030. Following that, Ms. Woranuch Suaykakaow, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment BMA, the project counterpart, explained the Bangkok Climate Change Master Plan 2021-2030, aiming to reduce GHG by 19% compared to BAU by 2030, and a vision aiming for net zero by 2050.

"Ms. Woranuch, Deputy Director of Department of Environment, BMA"

In the second half of Session 1; We invited leading Thai companies such as Bangcha, Sansiri, and Central Pattana, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, who are promoting innovative climate change countermeasures, and from academia, we invited King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, who is actively promoting climate change initiatives. Each organization introduced various activities toward Net Zero emissions. During the panel discussion, the roles of private companies and the BMA should play in accelerating net zero emissions were discussed.

"Session 1, Panel Discussion"

In the first half of Session 2, Ms. Sermsook Noppun, Chief of sub-division Climate Change Strategy BMA, the project counterpart, explained the focus sectors of the BMA's new master plan and important partners for advancing its implementation. Mr. Manaswee and Mr. Jakrapon, task force members of the project, also introduced specific initiatives in the energy and transport sectors.

"Session 2; Panel Discussion 1"

In the second half of Session 2; Dr. Takahashi, Executive Director for Planning and Coordination Department Climate Change Policy Headquarters, City of Yokohama, talked about the efforts of the city of Yokohama to reduce greenhouse gases by 50% by 2030, zero carbon by 2050, and also the efforts by Japanese local governments to collaborate with the private sector. Subsequently, Dr. Wrongkot, Assistant Professor of Chiang Mai University expressed his expectation that the implementation of policies by the BMA needs to be strengthened through the sharing of knowledge, experience, target setting methodology, technology, monitoring by introducing IoT, etc. in collaboration between the City of Yokohama. In the panel discussion, Ms. Yamamoto from JEF Engineering, Mr. Tsutsumi from Nissan Motor, Mr. Abe from Macnica, and Ms. Hishida from YUSA, all companies that operate business in Thailand, introduced the various case of using advanced technology to provide solutions for the climate change issues. After that, Mr. Kato, a JICA expert, moderated the discussion on the role of private companies and local governments toward Net Zero emissions.

"Dr. Takahashi, Executive Director of Climate Change Policy Headquarters, City of Yokohama"

"Session 2 Panel Discussion 2"

Through this seminar, the importance of cooperation between local governments and cooperation between local governments and the private sector was confirmed to accelerate the implementation of climate change measures and net zero emissions. Through this project, we are planning to promote dialogue at various levels to materialize concrete initiatives.