Climate Change Master Plan, 2015-2050

The Plan acknowledges that Thailand is facing the challenge of climate change which is a major obstacle to sustainable development. It further notes that the changing weather patterns have a profound effect on the country’s economy; and the variations and unpredictability in weather conditions are more felt in the agricultural sector and the changing patterns have also impacted on how diseases spread. The main purposes of the Plan include; (1) To provide a long-term national framework for climate change adaptation and low carbon growth promotion according to sustainability development principle; (2) To provide a policy framework for the development of mechanisms and tools, at sectoral and national level, to achieve effective resolutions for climate change. (3) To provide government agencies and relevant organizations with a framework for detailed action plans; facilitating awareness and mutual understanding by means of a common framework of reference points, thereby increasing integration and reducing redundant processes. (4) To provide budgeting agencies with a clear framework for budget allocation, thus enabling the mobilization of concrete climate change resolutions. The Master Plan utilises the Driving ForcesPressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework, which is an evolution of the PressureState-Response framework. The DPSIR framework works by focusing first on the current environmental problems (e.g. climate change) and then by analysing the surrounding factors comprehensively in order to identify the causes and reach effective solutions. The Thailand Climate Change Master Plan (2015-2050) consists of three key strategies: 1) Climate change adaptation 2) Mitigation and low carbon development and 3) Enabling environment on climate change management. The Plan also acknowledges that climate change is a trans-boundary issue, as such, domestic operations shall be in alignment with international frameworks. 1) Develop the knowledge base and technology required to support low carbon development and sustainable adaptation to climate change. 2) Increase the resilience to climate change of national development by calling for an integrated approach to climate change adaptation measures between stakeholders at all levels. 3) Reduce national GHG emissions and develop sustainable low carbon growth modalities. 4) Raise awareness and capacity to implement climate change related policies and plans in developmental partners at all levels. The goals of the Plan are divided into 3 phases; 1) Short-term: Goals related to mechanisms and capacity building measures for issues which require immediate implementation (Target year 2016). 2) Medium-term: Goals related to mechanisms and capacity building measures which require time to implement, and goals reflecting the outcome of medium-term actions (Target year 2020). 3) Long-term: Goals reflecting long-term actions, including variable goals which require continuous monitoring of indicators (Target year 2050). The Plan calls for a full involvement of all national stakeholders and sectors; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, public health, government, private sector and civil society across the central, regional and local levels of administration and organization within the nation. Further to its implementation, monitoring and evaluation, the 35 year span of the climate change master plan also necessitates periodic evaluations in order to identify the course correction and revisions that will allow the plan to meet any unforeseen challenges whilst remaining true to the original objectives.