Climate Change and Energy Policy in Thailand

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Climate Change and Energy Policy in Thailand
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung promotes sustainable energy options based on social and gender justice and responsive to our joint climate change responsibility and the livable society for our future generation. We believe that a multi-level approach bringing together various key actors and new policies for the generation of renewable energies is crucial for the energy future of Thailand and the Southeast Asian region.

Thailand has a huge potential for demand side management (DSM), energy efficiency and renewable energies, mainly biomass, microhydro, wind and solar energy. However, with a rapidly growing energy demand, Thailand’s dependence on non-sustainable fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, remains high. Consequently, the increase of renewable energy generation and the introduction of nuclear energy have been discussed as potential solutions and included in the current Power Development Plan (PDP)2010. However, high fossil fuel dependency and emission reduction must not be the only reason to go ahead with nuclears. We need to seriously look at innovations to significantly contribute to sustainable development and livable society in a long run. And in light with this, nuclear is not an option. more»

News and Publications

DISCUSSION PAPER

A FUTURE FOR INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE POLITICS

May 10, 2012 - Two years after the Copenhagen summit and only shortly after COP 17 in Durban, the real world is moving away from a safe and equitable climate future faster than ever. Political leaders are busy fighting the global financial crisis. But the lack of public interest and disengagement of relevant actors in the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) has – in light of the rise of the G-20 as the new and powerful global governance forum – the potential to conceal what is really at stake. If the G-20 is “the premier forum for international economic development” and we are serious about stopping climate change, we have to ensure that G-20 politics do not undermine our objectives for the climate, the environment, poverty eradication, and global justice. Lili Fuhr and Barbara Unmüßig more»

ARTICLE

Claiming their Space

 - April 10, 2012 -

The people of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) have held their 8th Peoples Forum (APF) /ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC) in Cambodia from March 29-31, 2012 in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia where the ASEAN Summit took place beginning of April.

Elaine Haller more»

PUBLICATION SERIES ECOLOGY, VOLUME 21

The Future We Want- A Feminist Perspective

 - The Future We Want – the motto chosen by the UN in the run-up to the June 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) – is certainly forward-looking. Rio+20 is supposed to define routes towards a safer, fairer, greener, and cleaner world. But the blueprints for a green economy are devoid of gender perspectives. Christa Wichterich’s essay takes a closer look on the relations between feminism and ecology. more»

ARTICLE

Nuclear Waste: An Unsolvable Problem

 - The article is a reflection of a trip to Germany in 2010 in order to learn more about nuclear energy and it's implications for Thailand, as well as the problem of nuclear waste. Written by former hbs staff Vorawan Wannalak. Vorawan Wannalak more»

ARTICLE

Lessons from Fukushima

 - Mr. Santi Chokechaichamnankit from Nuclear Monitor Thailand visited Japan for the "No Nukes Asia Forum 2011". Following this visit, he wrote this  summary of the nuclear accident in Fukushima and and its' aftermath. Santi Chokechaichamnankij more»

Event update

No Nukes Asia Forum 2011: Lessons Thailand must learn

 - September 20, 2011 - Heinrich Boll Stiftung Southeast Asia Regional Office supported seven Thais participating in the No Nukes Asia Forum 2011 during July 29-August 7 to gain insight exposure and be part of regional anti-nuclear movement. The seven Thais included three local villagers from three provinces of Ubon Ratchathanee, Trad and Chumporn, where nuclear power plants are proposed; one nuclear activist, and three media. This article is from a discussion with Mr. Santi Chokechaichamnankit, Nuclear Monitor, Thailand. more»

Debates about the nuclear future in Thailand

- March 24, 2011 - In 2010 the Government of Thailand adopted the Power Development Plan. It provides the construction of five nuclear power plants. But the nuclear disaster in Japan has opened up the discussion about the nuclear future of Thailand again. Jost Pachaly more»

Event update

Voices from Thai Local Communities: Nuclear Is Not the Option for Thailand

 - March 16, 2011 - Sustainable Energy Network Thailand (SENT), Nuclear Monitor, MeeNET, Greenpeace Southeast Thailand and Heinrich Boll Stiftung (hbs) together organized a forum on March 15, 2011, Bangkok, to exchange knowledge and update each other on the nuclear situation in Japan which would bring about the lessons and precautions that Thailand should take in its decision to go nuclear. more»

Publication

Myth of Nuclear Power - A Guide

- February 6, 2011 - Some lobbyists and politicians carry on the myth that nuclear power is reliable, secure, and a source of unbeatable energy. The newest myth paints nuclear power as the necessary bridging technology to the solar age - in Europe and around the world. To address the myths of nuclear power, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver reports that provide the public with an overview of current, fact-rich, and nuclear-critical know-how more»

Publication

Climate Policy in 2010: One Step Forward and Two Sideward

- January 25, 2011 - The year 2010 offered mixed results concerning global climate policy, with serious setbacks as well as some small victories. Find more in the Regional Analysis of Climate Policy in 2010 and the Cancun Climate Conference (COP 16).

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