CASE STUDY : BANGKOK METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRATION Action Plan On Global Warming Mitigation 2007-2012

According to the Fourth Assessment Report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change,continued greenhouse gas emissions at or above current rates will cause further warming and induce many changes in the global climate system during the 21st century that would very likely be larger than those observed during the 20th century. Global warming is now recognized as a serious threat to human civilization. Even though Thailand is not bound to international commitments to reduce greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions, such as mandated for developed countries in the Kyoto Protocol under United Nations Framework on Convention for Climate Change, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration believes it nonetheless must begin to take action to reduce its contribution to the global warming problem. GHG emission levels from the Bangkok metropolitan area are relatively high when compared to other large cities even those in developed countries. Therefore, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is initiating its own Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions from the city and to take part in the global effort to mitigate global warming problems.

City

Estimeted CO2 emission (million ton p.a.

Estimated population (million)

Estimated CO2 emission per capita (ton per capita p.a.)

San Diego Tokyo London Bangkok New York Toronto San Francisco

13 71 44 42.65 58 24 8

2.9 12.4 7.5 6.0 8.2 2.5 0.7

4.5 5.7 5.9 7.1 7.1 9.6 11.4

Table 1: Comparison of GHG emission of Bangkok and other major cities

GHG Emissions Inventory:

The Bangkok Metropolitan area, being Thailands major center for socio-economic activities, consumes approximately 29,200 GWh of electricity annually, which is equivalent to 14.86 million tons of CO2 emissions. Additionally, transportation in Bangkok is dominated by the use of CO2 producing vehicles. The Department of Energy Business, Ministry of Energy, estimates that Bangkoks transportation sector consumes approximately 28 million litters of gasoline per day, which is equivalent to approximately 21.18 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. Combined, energy and transportation are responsible for 84% of Bangkoks GHG emissions. Methane from solid waste landfill and wastewater is another source of GHG emissions in Bangkok, estimated at 1.13 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually or 3 percent of total emissions. The remaining 13 percent of Bangkoks GHG emissions, from miscellaneous sources such as rice fields, canals, etc., totals 5.58 million tons of CO2 equivalents annually.

Sector

CO2 emission (million ton p.a.)

Electricity Transportation Waste Other sources Total

14.86 21.18 1.13 5.58 42.75 Table 2: GHG emission in Bangkok by sectors

34 50 3 13 100

As of 2007, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration manages approximately 1,900 ha of park area, including at least 3 million trees. These trees, together with trees on private land, should be able to absorb CO2 on the order of 0.1 million tons per year. This equates to net GHG emissions in Bangkok of 42.65 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, well aware of the citys high GHG emissions from various activities, has taken initial steps to pioneer for Thailand strategies that address future GHG emissions. The activities laid out in this Action Plan consists of 5 initiatives targeted at reducing Bangkoks total GHG emission in the year 2012 by 15% below business as usual (BAU) projections.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Declaration of Cooperation on Alleviating Global Warming Problems An initial initiative for global warming mitigation:

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations initial action to address the need for long term global warming mitigation strategies involved hosting a meeting with organizations and agencies from both the private and public sectors to set guidelines for collaboration on addressing global warming problems. On 9 May 2007 at the United Nations Building in Bangkok, 36 organizations jointly signed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations Declaration of Cooperation on Alleviating Global Warming Problems. The declaration highlighted 5 strategies to mitigate global warming: 1. Reduce energy consumption and maximize efficiencies in resource utilization in all activities to minimize global impacts; 2. Promote and support all sectors and stakeholders to jointly reduce GHG emissions; 3. Promote the sufficiency economy lifestyle to prepare for, and adapt to, global warming; 4. Promote and support activities that lead to GHG absorption; 5. Promote and support activities that continuously work to mitigate global warming by building public awareness and knowledge. Following the declarations signing, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration organized campaigning events on the 9th day of each month to raise popular awareness among Bangkokians of global warming concerns, and how they can take part in reducing the citys GHG emissions. 9 May 2007, Stop! Warming-up Bangkok: a campaign to encourage the people of Bangkok along 5 major roads to turn-off electric lights for 15 minutes from 19:00-19:15hrs. This activity reduced CO2 emission by 143 tons. 9 June 2007, Using Compact Fluorescent Lamps: a campaign to encourage the people of Bangkok to change their incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving, compact fluorescent bulbs. A pilot action was organized at one of Bangkoks major marketplaces, where 1,100 light bulbs were changed. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to replicate this at 192 other

Bangkok marketplaces, switching more than 44,000 bulbs. This activity will result in the reduction of 8,000 tons of CO2 annually. 9 July 2007, Stopping Engines While Parking: a campaign to encourage passenger car drivers to turn off their engine when parked. If 5.5 million drivers in Bangkok turn off their automobile engines for 5 minutes each day, CO2 emission will be reduced by 260,975 tons annually. 9 and 12 August 2007, Planting Trees: a campaign to encourage the people of Bangkok to plant trees on Her Majesty the Queens birthday. On that day, the Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, planted the 3,000,000th tree in Bangkok. When fully grown, these trees will absorb 27,000 tons CO2 annually. 9 September 2007, Using Cloth Bags in Place of Plastic: a campaign to encourage the people of Bangkok to use reusable cloth bags when shopping, instead of accepting single-use plastic bags from vendors.

9 October 2007, Reduce Garbage: a campaign to encourage the people of Bangkok to be mindful of their consumption and the solid waste it generates, and also to separate solid waste for ease of recycling. Additionally, the campaign also encourages the appropriate disposal of household hazardous waste. This Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations Declaration of Cooperation on Alleviating Global Warming Problems has led to the establishment of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations Action Plan on Global Warming Mitigation. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration drafted an initial plan for public comments, which were collected through interviews as well as through Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations website. Academics and experts from various disciplines then used the information collected to analyze the draft plans appropriateness, feasibility and potential effectiveness toward reducing GHG emissions. This final Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Action Plan on Global Warming Mitigation contains 5 initiatives: Initiative 1: Expand mass transit and improve traffic systems Initiative 2: Promote the use of renewable energy

 Initiative 3: Improve electricity consumption efficiency Initiative 4: Improve solid waste management and waste water treatment efficiency Initiative 5: Expand park areas The Action Plan is aimed at bringing about, over the next five years, a 15 percent reduction in Bangkok's GHG emissions below currently projected 2012 emission levels.

Initiative 1: Expand mass transit and improve traffic system Traffic problem in Bangkok tremendously affect peoples well being, causing both physical and mental stress. Environmental impacts from Bangkok traffic are also significant, with GHG emissions in the form of CO2 of approximately 21.18 million tons per year. Simulations by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Ministry of Transport, using the Extended Bangkok Urban Model (eBUM), estimate that Bangkoks transportation sectors CO2 emissions could exceed 25 million tons per year in 2012. Objective: Reduce CO2 emission from vehicle traffic Action plan 1: Expand the mass transit rail system within the Bangkok metropolitan area Aims to encourage passenger car drivers to utilize public transportation. Action plan 2: Improve public bus system Aims to encourage passengers and car drivers to utilize public transportation. Action plan 3: Improve traffic system Increase the efficiency of Bangkoks traffic system by improving the road network, including constructing flyover bridge and underpass tunnels in order to reduce congestion and emissions. Action plan under consideration: Zone Pricing By defining a zone within central Bangkok for implementing a pricing scheme, or Bangkok Central License, an important step could be taken toward limiting the number of cars commuting into the inner city area. This action would lead to a significant reduction of CO2 emission. However, this is a delicate issue necessitating a more detailed feasibility study.

Initiative 2: Promote the use of renewable energy Renewable energy, such as biofuels, is considered a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels and other forms of renewable energy aim to be carbon neutral. This means that the carbon released during the use of the fuel, e.g. through combustion to power transport or to generate electricity, is reabsorbed and balanced by the carbon absorbed by new plant growth. These plants are then harvested to make the next batch of fuel. Carbon neutral fuels lead to no net increases in atmospheric CO2 levels, meaning global warming need not worsen. Objective: The action plan and activities under this initiative aim to increase the proportion of biofuels usage. Action plan 1: Promote the use of biofuels Activity 1: Promote the use of gasohol Activity 2: Promote the use bio-diesel Other supporting activities: Campaign for use of low carbon emission petroleum fuel use of liquefied gas, e.g. CNG. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration facilitating the buying and collecting of used cooking oil for refining bio-diesel. Action plan under consideration: Biomass Power Plant

Initiative 3: Improve building electricity consumption efficiency Electric power consumption in public building as well as private household in Bangkok is estimated at approximately 29,200 GWh per year, which is primarily used for air conditioning and lighting. This level of consumption generates approximately 14.86 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. The GHG emission from this sector could grow up to 16 million tons per year by the end of 2012 if no efforts are undertaken to control electricity consumption. A campaign by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration targeted at less electricity consumption, however, will directly reduce future GHG emission. This plans five-year estimate of the effectiveness of such electricity conservation measures are derived from the Energy Conservation Measures Guidance for New Buildings Code by the Energy Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy. Objective: The action plans and activities under this initiative aim to reduce electricity usage in Bangkok Action plan 1: Improve building energy consumption efficiency Action plan 2: Electricity conservation campaign for Bangkokians Initiative 4: Improve solid waste management and wastewater treatment Efficiency Solid waste and wastewater contribute to GHG emissions through the release of methane during the decomposition process of organic matter. Higher efficiency in solid waste and wastewater management will lead to reductions in methane emission.

Objective: The action plans and activities under this initiative aim to increase efficiencies in solid waste management and waste water treatment Action plan 1: Increase efficiency in solid waste management This action plan will base on the 3Rs concept Reduce / Reuse / Recycle Action plan 2: Increase efficiency in wastewater treatment Action plan under consideration: Waste-to-Energy Project

Initiative 5: Expand park area Trees absorb CO2 through the photosynthesis process, causing CO2 to be stored in their wood fiber. On average as much as 9 kg of CO2 per tree per year can be absorbed. Increasing the number of trees in parks and in other areas in Bangkok is a direct response to the need for global warming mitigation. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been well aware of the significant role that parks and trees can play, thus works continuously to expand park areas in the city. Objective: The action plans and activities under this initiative aim to increase the number of trees for CO2 absorption Action plan 1: Plant trees in the Bangkok metropolitan area Action plan 2: Plant trees in the neighboring province areas

Summary: GHG emissions in Bangkok will increase significantly if the current socio-economic conditions are maintained per business-as-usual (BAU) assumptions. It is expected that future net GHG emission in Bangkok could grow from 42.65 million tons CO2 equivalent per year now, to as high as 48.69 million tons CO2 equivalent by the year 2012. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations target is to reduce future GHG emission by at least 15% through the implementation of activities under the preceding 5 initiatives. These actions, if implement properly, would yield total net GHG emissions in the year 2012 of 38.94 million tons CO2 equivalent, approximately 20% below BAU projections and better than Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations targets prior to the development of this Action Plan. As the citys top GHG emitter, the transportation sector will be the most important sector to contribute to reductions in Bangkoks future GHG emissions. This Action Plan intends to take advantage of the transportation sectors potential for significant emissions reductions by implementing an expanded and improved mass transit system that draws drivers out of their cars, developing a more efficient road network that reduces the length of time vehicles spend on Bangkoks roads, and initiating a campaign to support the increased use of bio-fuels. Electricity consumption represents another major sector that will play a key role in Bangkoks global warming mitigation plan. To be successful, the implementation of this Action Plan on Global Warming Mitigation by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will require full support from every stakeholder, particularly the people of Bangkok.