UK and Germany help Thai climate targets
16th July 2016
UK: The UK and German governments are to provide €14.7m to help Thailand meet its climate targets.
The UK and German governments, together with the German international development company Deutsche Gesellschaft für international Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), are backing the new project Thailand Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (RAC NAMA).
The project will support climate friendly and energy efficient cooling technologies which help Thailand reach its energy saving as well as its climate targets.
“The UK has a strong commitment to tackle climate change and to develop well-functioning energy markets,” commented Paul Bute of the British Embassy in Bangkok. “This commitment is both national, where we are considering how we can deliver net-zero emissions in the UK and international where we partner with countries like Thailand transitioning to a low-carbon economy.”
Tim Mahler, GIZ project director of RAC NAMA, explained that the project firstly aims to direct the demand towards more energy efficient products by demonstrating best practices of energy performance standards, labels and other incentive schemes. Secondly, the project aims to increase the demand for energy efficient and climate friendly technologies by setting up a financial incentive scheme for Thai consumers.
The project also aims to support Thailand in preparing for the next generation of refrigerants by helping to define safety standards and building codes in line with international best practices. The RAC-NAMA project will also train servicing staff to prepare the sector for different safety challenges.
Thailand has committed to reduce GHG emission by 20-25% by 2030, particularly in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and transportation.
“The demand for air conditioning and refrigeration of Thailand is growing very fast,” said Dr Asdaporn Krairapanond, deputy secretary general, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. “This sector consumes a lot of electricity, produced in general by burning fossil fuel that emits CO2. It was projected that, without intervention, this demand will triple by 2030.”
