Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment representing the Head of State or Government has delivered a national statement at the resumed High-Level Segment of COP29, where the deliveries of national statements will be continued from the first session held at the beginning of the conference. While committing to mitigating Greenhouse Gas emissions reductions under the Paris Agreement, the country has joined forces with other developing countries affected by climate change in calling for NCQG and the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage fund during the time when climate change has hit them the hardest this year. Below is the country’s statement delivered by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, HE. Mr. Chelermchai Sri-on
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Firstly, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting COP 29 here in Baku, a city with rich history and architecture, at a critical juncture where solidarity from the global community is required to foster just transition to achieve the Paris Agreement goal.
Thailand is among the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change. We have suffered record breaking heat at 43 degrees Celsius, flash flooding due to heavy rainfall, as well as landslides, causing irreparable damage to our economy and livelihoods. This includes biodiversity loss such as seagrass which would cause a decline in dugong populations around 50% in less than 6 years.
In the global greenhouse gas emissions context, Thailand emits less than 1% of greenhouse gas. However, we are fully determined to enhance our mitigation action, upholding the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances, to achieve our NDC 2030 by reducing GHG emissions by 222 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent in 5 sectors: Energy, Transport, Waste, Industrial Process and Product Use, and Agriculture, with the action plan on mitigation in place to ensure a tangible action.
Mr. President,
The First Global Stocktake significantly shows that our current efforts are still insufficient to control the global temperature increase. Therefore, Thailand aims to raise our ambition towards the absolute emissions reduction in NDC 3.0. We plan to reduce GHG emissions to below 270 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent against the 2019 level economy-wide by 2035. A comprehensive green investment plan will support the implementation of NDC 3.0. Additionally, we will boost the GHG sink in LULUCF by 120 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent by 2037.
For the adaptation aspect which is crucial, we aim to integrate the National Adaptation Plan into local action in 6 sectors: Water Resource Management, Agriculture and Food Security, Tourism, Public Health, Natural Resource Management, and Human Settlements and Security. Particularly, the development of the early warning system is to be put in place to handle climate-related hazards at the local level and also the restoration and protection of marine and coastal biodiversity will be accelerated.
Mr. President,
Turning policy into action is vital in achieving the Paris Agreement goal. Thailand has put Public-Private-People Partnership at the heart of climate action. We have organized the Thailand Climate Action Conference 2024 to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and foster climate empowerment in Thai society.
At the same time, Thailand is pushing forward the Climate Change Act to formulate a balanced package in developing carbon pricing instruments and climate fund, to steer our socio-economic development towards climate resilience.
Mr. President,
I strongly hope that at this COP, the NCQG will be finalized, and that the rules and guidelines for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage fund will be clearly defined in order to support particularly vulnerable developing countries to enhance and accelerate their climate action and their capacity to fight against the threat of climate change.
I believe that our gathering at this crucial moment will set forth the solid transitional pathway to achieve the Paris Agreement goal.
Last but not least, I urge the global community to come together as one and show our determination to preserve the very existence of our planet, for all of us, and for future generations, to enjoy a sustainable future.
Thank you.
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