TGO advances local net-zero planning and low-carbon tourism
Thailand’s greenhouse gas agency has recognised provinces, municipalities and campaign winners as it promotes local emissions cuts and lower-carbon tourism.
- The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) has recognised 33 provinces and 15 municipalities for developing local plans to achieve net-zero emissions.
- A digital campaign, "Carbon-Free Journeys", has been launched to promote low-carbon tourism and encourage more sustainable travel behaviours among tourists and businesses.
- Officials highlighted the tourism sector's economic importance and its vulnerability to climate change, calling for greater cooperation to reduce emissions.
- The TGO is actively supporting local authorities by helping them prepare greenhouse gas inventories and reduction plans, in line with Thailand's 2050 net-zero target.
Thailand is expanding local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with provinces and municipalities recognised for developing pathways towards net zero.
The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) presented the awards at a ceremony titled “Carbon free journey toward Net Zero City” at the Asawin Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok on Friday (August 28).
Recognition under the Net Zero City Pathway initiative went to 33 provinces and one area at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex. A further 15 municipalities were recognised under the Net Zero Pathway initiative.
The event also honoured winners of the 2026 Green Awareness Digital Campaign, “Carbon-Free Journeys”, which promotes lower-carbon travel.
Tourism faces growing climate risks
Raweewan Bhuridej, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, who presided over the ceremony, said the event was intended to raise awareness among provincial authorities, local administrations and young people while encouraging practical action on climate change.
Tourism and services are major contributors to Thailand’s economy, she said, but the sector is also exposed to climate-related risks.
“It is therefore both significant and important for tourists to help tackle global warming when travelling to different destinations,” she said, adding that travellers, hotels, restaurants and destinations all have a role to play in reducing emissions.
She said environmental management and carbon-credit mechanisms were becoming more relevant to tourism businesses. Travellers were also paying greater attention to environmental issues when choosing accommodation.
Hotels in major destinations, including Samui and Phuket, have begun displaying logos indicating their participation in greenhouse gas reduction and environmental programmes, she said.
Raweewan warned that climate change could affect travellers, damage accommodation and disrupt tourism destinations.
She called for cooperation between government agencies and the private sector to support sustainable growth and help Thailand meet its international commitments.
TGO supports local emissions planning
Nakorn Tangavirapat, executive director of TGO, said the organisation was developing greenhouse gas management programmes to support Thailand’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The programmes include support for emissions reduction projects in different sectors, as well as work to improve local emissions reporting and planning.
TGO is helping provinces and local administrative organisations prepare greenhouse gas inventories and reduction plans, set net-zero targets and develop area-based pathways.
The organisation’s provincial-level emissions reduction programme covers 15 provinces in the North, nine in the Northeast, 17 in the Central region and eight in the South, along with one area at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex.
TGO is also promoting organisational carbon-footprint assessments among local administrative organisations.
Nakorn said tourism was an important part of the work because it generates income and supports livelihoods in communities across Thailand. He said conservation-based and lower-carbon tourism could create economic value while reducing environmental impacts.
“Accommodation providers and tourism operators are beginning to adapt and introduce measures for low-carbon tourism,” Nakorn said. “Hotels are paying greater attention to environmental management and carbon reduction.”
He said calculating the emissions associated with individual trips, including transport, meals and other activities, could help more people take part in emissions reduction.
Campaign promotes lower-carbon travel
TGO is using its 2026 Green Awareness Digital Campaign, “Carbon-Free Journeys”, to promote lower-carbon tourism through social media. The campaign aims to raise awareness, encourage changes in travel behaviour and provide information about greenhouse gas management and emissions reduction.
“For Thailand to reach net zero, tourism is one of the key areas because it is a major source of income for the country,” Nakorn said.
“Starting with changes in behaviour and developing the capabilities of people in local communities and provinces will be an important factor in helping the country move more quickly towards the overall net-zero target.”
Awards presented to campaign winners
TGO presented Net Zero City Pathway recognition to 34 locations — 33 provinces and one area at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex — and Net Zero Pathway recognition to 15 municipalities.
The Carbon-Free Journeys campaign received 141 video entries, from which 10 teams were selected for awards.
Team Capybara Man won first prize and THB40,000. Team Ma Di Wai Run was named first runner-up and received THB20,000, while team Sangsan Suk placed second runner-up and received THB10,000.
Four honourable mentions — Maitree Verb, Green Tiew Thai, DCC Rak Lok and Thao Wan Phan Kha — each received THB5,000.
Three Popular Vote prizes were also presented. Carbon Free Day won first place and THB15,000, Children_s Dreams took second place and THB10,000, and EcoX received third place and THB5,000.
The winning tourism videos are available on TGO’s YouTube channel.
