Bangkok: The Cabinet approves NDC 3.0, raising the greenhouse gas reduction target to carbon neutrality by 2050.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that the Cabinet approved Thailand’s second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) or NDC 3.0. This framework sets the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the next decade (2031-2035), aligning with international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
The government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and overseen by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, along with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as the primary agency, has reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to addressing climate change. The target is to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to no more than 152 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, marking a 47 percent reduction from the 2019 base year. This reflects a significant upgrade from the previous NDC.
The deputy government spokesperson stated that NDC 3.0 encompasses five key sectors: energy and transportation, industry, agriculture, waste, and forestry and land use. A 70% share of implementation will rely on domestic capacity, while the remaining 30% will seek technical and financial support from abroad. The objectives are to achieve “carbon neutrality by 2050” and “net zero greenhouse gas emissions,” contributing to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The government is confident that the approval of NDC 3.0 will enhance Thailand’s role in the international environmental arena, boost confidence among foreign investors, and serve as a key mechanism for driving a low-carbon economy in line with the government’s sustainable development policy. This aligns with Government Policy No. 13, “Sustainable Environment, Green Economy,” which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase green space, and establish a circular economy, enabling economic development to grow alongside natural resource conservation in a balanced and sustainable manner.