Climate change - now is the time for Thailand to act

Climate change is an urgent challenge. We need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by between 40 and 70 per cent by 2050 and to near zero by 2100 to have a reasonable chance of staying in the 2 degree safe zone. That’s a huge task, which we need to start now. No country is immune to the damaging impacts, direct and indirect, of climate change. 

The member states of the European Union are aware that we need drastic changes to worldwide CO2 emissions. This is not a problem that the developed world alone can fix. But the foundation for reaching the global goals is our own commitment. We have accepted that developed countries should take the lead. That is why we have taken determined action and reduced EU emissions by around 19 per cent from 1990 levels while GDP has grown by more than 44 per cent over the same period. We have committed to at least a 40-per-cent reduction by 2030 in the context of the international climate change negotiations. But most of the future growth in global emissions will come from the developing, not the developed, world. 

That is why the G7 also discussed the question of financing to combat climate change. This also we cannot do alone, but we agreed to set aside US$100 billion annually from 2020 onwards to reach the climate change targets. We know that for many developing and small-island states this is a crucial point. 

Action to tackle climate change is compatible with lasting economic growth. Several countries that are spearheading the development with ambitious environmental targets have proven this already over recent years and decades. This is also the central message of the “New Climate Economy” (www.NewClimateEconomy.report), which makes 10 clear recommendations to global policy-makers, including stopping deforestation, accelerating the shift away from coal-fired power generation, introducing strong, predicable carbon prices, eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, and entering into a strong, lasting and equitable international climate agreement. 

The “New Climate Economy” is the flagship project of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. “The New Climate Economy: Better Growth, Better Climate” was officially launched in Thailand by the National Economic and Social Development Board together with representatives from the seven commissioning countries.

The World Bank’s new report on “Decarbonising Development: Three Steps to a Zero Carbon Future” also lays out three steps for a smooth transition to a zero-carbon future and provides data, examples and policy advice to help countries makes the shift. They mention many steps governments can take now – such as developing public transport and improving energy efficiency – to bring immediate benefits in improved access for residents and reduced pollution. The economic transformation required to shift economies to zero net emissions before the end of the century will require public buy-in and changes in support for those most affected. The report indicates that business support for a climate deal (as shown at last month’s Business and Climate Summit in Paris) is crucial. It is clear that investors are increasingly looking for “green” opportunities, including in Southeast Asia, and they seek long-term policy certainty – hence the importance of a global deal and a common platform for national action.

2015 is a crucial year for global efforts to avoid catastrophic climate change. We are only six months away from the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, where parties have committed themselves to reaching a new, global climate agreement to take effect in 2020. 

We congratulate Thailand for showing leadership by announcing at last year’s 20th edition of the conference that Thailand intended to reduce its emission intensity by 7 per cent from 2005 levels through domestic actions, and up to 20 per cent with international assistance. This makes Thailand the 4th country in Southeast Asia to make a voluntary pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We now look forward to Thailand demonstrating a strong commitment on climate change by announcing an ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contribution as soon as possible before the Paris Conference. We also hope that Thailand will do all it can to advocate for ambitious climate action across the region, ahead of Paris and beyond. The EU and many of its member states are pleased to be working with Thailand on climate change. We look forward to continuing to do so in the future.

Signed by the European Union Heads of Mission in Thailand, on the occasion of EU Climate Diplomacy Day, which falls today.