Environment
Thailand pushes energy development in ASEAN
The priority plan is to initiate an ASEAN power grid including Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia through the power infrastructure of Thailand
The Energy Ministry of Thailand is ready to push forward five plans to promote energy sector in ASEAN at the 37th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) that scheduled for Sept 2-6 in Bangkok.
Bangkok Post quoted the ministry’s director for international affairs Poonpat Leesombatpiboon as saying that the five action plans are expected to be developed at the meeting.
According to Poonpat, the meeting will involve discussions of effective energy management and stability for Southeast Asia via partnerships and innovation to promote the economy and improve people’s standard of living.
Multilateral electricity trading on a subregional level
The priority plan is to initiate multilateral electricity trading on a subregional level this year under an ASEAN power grid including Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia through the power infrastructure of Thailand. Additionally, ASEAN member nations will enhance their energy security through gas pipeline connectivity and a liquefied natural gas regasification terminal.
The second plan is to enhance the image of coal through promotion of clean coal technologies, led by Indonesia as the largest coal exporter in the region.
Meanwhile, the third plan aims to reduce its energy intensity by 20 percent in ASEAN in 2020 from the 2005 level .
Increasing target for renewable energy in Southeast Asia
The fourth sets an increasing target for renewable energy in Southeast Asia, reaching 23 percent of total capacity in 2025, and improving energy efficiency for home appliances sold in the region.
The fifth plan seeks to build capabilities in policy, technology and regulatory aspects for nuclear energy in ASEAN. Participants include ministers and high-ranking officials from the 10 ASEAN member states and the group’s eight partner countries , including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand, the US and Russia, as well as representatives from six international energy organisations.-VNA
Thailand promotes five plans for energy development in ASEAN | Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
Environment
Climate Change Could Force 49 Million People to Migrate in East Asia and the Pacific
Out-migration hotspots in agricultural areas of central Thailand and Myanmar coincide with areas expected to see declines in both water availability and crop productivity
The World Bank’s updated Groundswell report released today finds that climate change, an increasingly potent driver of migration, could force 216 million people across six world regions to move within their countries by 2050.
(more…)Companies
Thailand BOI Approves Measures to Support Carbon Reduction
greenhouse gas emission as well as an enhanced scheme for electric vehicles and measures to mitigate Covid-19 impacts and support local vaccine development
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) approved incentives to encourage companies to reduce greenhouse gas emission as well as an enhanced scheme for electric vehicles and measures to mitigate Covid-19 impacts and support local vaccine development, Ms Duangjai Asawachintachit, Secretary General of the BOI, announced today.
(more…)
Can border reopening revive tourism in South-East Asia?
In Thailand, where pre-pandemic tourism accounted for 11-12% of GDP, the country lost an estimated $50bn last year as Covid-19...
Thailand dropped from UK’s tough covid-19 travel ‘red list’
Earlier, Thailand was listed among countries with high infection levels that were put on a ‘red list’, requiring arrivals to...
The ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Cooperation Work Program
ASEAN and Russia recently agreed to enhance and widen economic cooperation at the 10th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)-Russia Consultations held...
Flexible Workspace Startup Worklounge Debuts with 20+ Luxury Member Lounges in Thailand
Worklounge launches a premium membership granting remote professionals and executives access to exclusive hotel lounges across Thailand. Their platform is...
5 insights to guide ASEAN’s digital generation in a post-pandemic world
We surveyed 86,000 people from six ASEAN countries about their views for a post-pandemic world. The ASEAN Digital Generation Report...