Thailand has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, targeting the power generation sector, which contributes 35% of the country’s CO₂ emissions, as a critical area for intervention. This study explores the transition toward carbon neutrality in power generation, focusing on fossil-fuel-based plants, particularly lignite and natural gas, which remain central to Thailand’s electricity production. A key strategy adopted by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is “Sink Co-creation”, which includes the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies in existing and future lignite power plants, leveraging favorable storage conditions. Additionally, natural gas power plants exhibit significant CCS potential through source–sink matching mechanisms. This study finds that the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from fossil-fuel-based power plants could reach 17.07 MtCO₂. Of this total, lignite power plants are projected to achieve a reduction of 3.79 MtCO₂ by 2036, while natural gas power plants are expected to contribute an additional 13.28 MtCO₂ in reductions by 2050. However, the realization of these reductions faces significant challenges, including the high costs associated with CCS implementation and limited investor interest, underscoring the critical need for sustained government support and policy incentives to facilitate progress toward carbon neutrality.

The escalating concerns over climate change have propelled industries worldwide to seek innovative strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Within the energy sector, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology emerges as a promising solution to curtail emissions and foster sustainable development aims for the net zero approach. This research delves into the role of government support in expediting CCS adoption for the maximum potential of 9.79 MtCO₂ storage from six major refinery plants. The refineries mentioned above are anticipated to necessitate an initial capital investment of approximately 18,307 million THB. This research focuses on potential business model proposals appropriate for a country’s context, specifically, applying CCS technology to the Thai oil refining sector. To achieve the realization of CCS within the context of this study, a combination of three essential measures will be required: tax incentives, carbon credits, and grants. This process will commence with the implementation of tax incentives, followed by an increase in the carbon price within the country. Finally, the establishment of a dedicated fund, funded through deductions from oil excise tax revenue, will play a pivotal role in facilitating the necessary financial support for the emergence of CCS.

This paper aims to conduct a gap analysis and explore the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in the tourism sector of Chiang Mai province, with the goal of promoting sustainable tourism. Chiang Mai is a major tourism hub in Thailand, located in the Northern Economic Corridor (NEC). The gap analysis of small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises will be examined across four dimensions: (1) management, (2) socio-economy, (3) cultural, and (4) environmental. In 2024, Chiang Mai’s tourism revenue accounted for 46.97% of the northern region’s total tourism revenue and 3.73% of Thailand’s total tourism revenue. Given this economic significance, the development of sustainable tourism should be accelerated to meet the expectations of new tourists who are increasingly concerned about the environment. To address this need, this study analyzes the gaps in small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises and assesses GHG emissions through interviews and surveys of 90 tourism-related establishments across nine sectors: hotels, restaurants and beverages, tour agencies, transportation, souvenirs, attractions and activities, spas and wellness, community-based tourism, and farm tourism. The total GHG emissions from these establishments were found to be 15,303.72 tCO₂eq. Moreover, if renewable energy from solar power were adopted, an installation capacity of 21,866.84 kWp would be required. Such a transition would not only reduce emissions, but also support low-carbon development in small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises and ultimately contribute to achieving net-zero tourism. Finally, this study contributes to the advancement of STGs 1–17, adapted from the SDGs 1–17, with particular emphasis on SDG 7 on clean energy and SDG 13 on climate change.

The escalating concerns over climate change have propelled industries worldwide to seek innovative strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Within the energy sector, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology emerges as a promising solution to curtail emissions and foster sustainable development aims for net zero approach. The research delves into the role of government support in expediting CCS adoption for the maximum potential of 9.79 MtCO2 storage from six major refinery plants. The refineries mentioned above are anticipated to necessitate an initial capital investment of approximately 18,307 million THB. This research focuses on potential business model proposals appropriate for a country's context, specifically applying CCS technology to Thai oil refining sector. To achieve the realization of CCS within the context of this study, a combination of three essential measures will be required: tax incentives, carbon credits, and grants. This process will commence with the implementation of tax incentives, followed by an increase in the carbon price within the country. Finally, the establishment of a dedicated fund, funded through deductions from oil excise tax revenue, will play a pivotal role in facilitating the necessary financial support for the emergence of CCS.

The tourism sector is a vital contributor to Thailand’s economy but also a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to align Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs), established in late 2023, with the nation’s GHG reduction targets. Adapted from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the STGs encompass 17 dimensions and 86 indicators but currently lack explicit quantitative targets. This research identifies key measurable criteria in energy (STGs 7, 11, 13), waste management (STG 12), and water management (STG 6), focusing on data from large hotels to assess their GHG emissions and reduction potential. The findings indicate that implementing STG measures could reduce emissions by 527,291 tCO₂eq, equivalent to 4.80% of the national GHG reduction target, through energy conservation, waste management, and water efficiency measures. Adjusted targets, including an 18.50% reduction in the energy sector (107 hotels), a 21.00% reduction in waste (121 hotels), and a 2.50% reduction in wastewater (14 hotels), could enable large hotels to achieve a reduction of 83,880 tCO₂eq, allowing them to fully meet their assigned reduction responsibilities. Furthermore, this would contribute 0.76% to the national target. This study demonstrates how integrating measurable components into the STG framework can enhance the tourism sector’s role in achieving national climate goals and promoting sustainable practices.

Thailand has formulated her climate change policy and updated relevant plans and policies to align with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality and net zero GHG emissions. This study investigates the optimal level of GHG mitigation in Thailand, taking into account the marginal abatement cost (MAC) and social cost of carbon (SCC). It evaluates how energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies influence GHG reduction in the power and industrial sector and illustrates policy recommendations that align with the 2020 to 2050 policy and plan period. The findings indicate that there may be instances where GHG mitigation potential is insufficient to reach the national mile-stone. In such cases, it becomes imperative to leverage all technologies within the marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) and also utilization of the social cost of carbon for policy decision making and meeting the desired goals. In certain scenarios, the adoption of additional technologies or measures may be necessary, such as flexible power generation and deploying carbon capture and storage or hydrogen which are high-cost technologies. Furthermore, preparations should be made for multiple levels of climate change policies and plans beyond 2030.