FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Climate protection programme “Bangkok E-Bus” approved by Switzerland and Thailand under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Climate protection programme “Bangkok E-Bus” approved by Switzerland and Thailand under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Thailand and Switzerland have authorised a climate protection programme that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area through the introduction of electric vehicles in privately-operated public transport.

The Bangkok E-Bus Programme, owned by Energy Absolute Public Company Ltd, is the first authorised programme under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in all over Asia. It is supported by the Foundation for Climate Protection and Carbon Offset KliK (KliK Foundation). By purchasing the resulting Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), the Foundation makes the programme financially viable.


Climate protection activity in the field of electric mobility

The Bangkok E-Bus Programme is the first authorised climate protection activity in the context of the bilateral cooperation agreement between Switzerland and Thailand in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement that is supported by the KliK Foundation. The programme owner Energy Absolute had contracted South Pole to develop the Bangkok E-Bus Programme that enables the private operator of e-buses to convert its fleet in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area from diesel to electric vehicles. In parallel, it will lay the foundation for a city-wide network of charging infrastructure. To secure the financing, the purchase agreement between Energy Absolute and the KliK Foundation on greenhouse gas emission reductions (ITMOs) from this programme was signed on 24 June 2022. The climate protection measure will contribute significantly to improving the air in the capital and, as a flagship programme, is expected to pioneer the electrification of Thailand’s mobility sector.

Climate protection programme “Bangkok E-Bus” approved by Switzerland and Thailand under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Legal framework of international climate protection activities

Thailand and Switzerland signed the cooperation agreement on climate action under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on 24 June 2022, between the two Ministers of Environment. This bilateral agreement regulates the cooperation between the two countries and establishes the legal framework for the implementation of climate protection activities by the KliK Foundation. The ITMOs (International Transferred Mitigation Outcomes) achieved with KliK Foundation’s financial support are transferred in accordance with the bilateral agreement and used to meet Switzerland's emission reduction target under the Paris Agreement. The cooperation agreement ensures that the ITMOs are additional to Thailand’s unconditional NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), meet the highest standards of quality, environmental integrity, SDGs and human rights. To avoid double counting, Thailand commits to increase its emissions balance by the amount of ITMOs transferred to Switzerland.

Chatrapon Sripratum, Vice President, Strategy Development and Investment Planning Dept | Energy Absolute Public Company Ltd, said “Bangkok E-Bus is the first programme, developed in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Asia, and among the first worldwide. Implementing this programme, Energy Absolute is acting as a pioneer in this field of cooperative climate protection in Thailand. This contribution towards a decarbonised economy will act as a beacon programme and inspire other private sector actors in Thailand to scale up their climate action.”

Michael Brennwald, Head International | KliK Foundation, said “The Bangkok E-Bus Programme stands as a beacon programme of the important journey towards substantial climate action under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The Article 6 mechanisms are strongly developing, and we are looking forward to further programme proposals from the private sector in Thailand as well as other countries that signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with Switzerland.”

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