Shell hosts ‘Shell Forum 2022’ to emphasise its ongoing commitment to clean energy, combining forces with all sectors to contribute to Thailand's transition toward a sustainable low-carbon society

Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, opened the first session of the event, under the theme The Thought Leaders’, by addressing ‘Thailand's Climate Commitment and Decarbonization Journey’: “Thailand is one of the top ten countries in the world in terms of climate change impact, although we emit only 0.8% of greenhouse gases. Because livestock and agriculture are the primary sources of our emissions, the government has established pilot rice-growing regions in Suphan Buri to explore effective water management strategies. As a result, methane emissions were reduced by 70% while increasing produce yield by 800 kilograms per rai (1,600 m²). 

Furthermore, we have implemented the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) policy to achieve our goals of becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050 and Net-Zero Emissions by 2065 by focusing on six areas: policy, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology, investment, the development of a carbon credit market mechanism, increased greenhouse gas storage and re-absorption, and legal aspects. The Agri-Tech with Roots (ATR) concept has been embraced in the agricultural industry by combining technology with local wisdom.

In addition, wealso have approximately 11,000 community forests, which are considered important resources for the Thai economy. Furthermore, in accordance with the 20-Year National Strategy, the government intends to enhance green space in Thailand by 55%. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has already established guidelines and mechanisms for carbon credit management that encourage ongoing and sustainable collaboration across the government, private, and public sectors.”

Prof. Dr. Pisut Painmanakul, Secretary to the Minister of Energy, delivered a lecture entitled ‘Thailand's Decarbonization Policy in the Energy Sector: Opportunities and Challenges’: "Today, the energy sector is responsible for 71% of greenhouse gas emissions, followed by agriculture, manufacturing, and waste management. The 4Ps, which are Profit, People, Planet, and Partnership, are the four fundamental forces, driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. The Ministry of Energy has developed a National Energy Policy, which aims at achieving a low-carbon economy and being Carbon Neutral by 2050, with the goals of (1) using more than 50% renewable energy (with a good energy storage system);

(2) the 30@30 Policy, which states that by 2030, zero-emission vehicles must account for at least 30% of total vehicle production; (3) increasing energy efficiency; and (4) implementing the 4D1E policy (Digitalization, Decarbonization, Decentralization, Deregulation, and Electrification) into action. Together with the BCG Model, the government has boosted its investment in renewable energy.

We believe that modifying Thailand’senergy policy and transitioning to a low-carbon economy, can improve economic value, Thai businesses’ competitiveness, investment, and employment, while lowering PM 2.5 pollution, and rebuilding the Thai economy in a sustainable way following the epidemic.”

Mr. Panun Prachuabmoh, Country Chairman, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited, said: “As a result of global warming, climate change is becoming a concern that affects all industries. In 2020, Shell unveiled the ‘Powering Progress’ strategy to accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions energy business, with four corepillars: (1) Net-Zero Emissions: Shell's target s to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; (2) Powering Lives: Shell's commitment to providing quality, reliable, and sustainable energy; (3) Respecting Nature: Environmental preservation, waste reduction and management, as well as active participation in biodiversity development; and (4) Generating Shareholder Value: In order to achieve all of its goals, Shell must establish financial strength to fund the investments that support the path to a low-carbon economy. 

Beyond our commitment to providing energy to meet our customers' needs, Shell recognizes the importance of striking a balance between various elements in quality, product diversity, sustainability, and the environment by developing quality products and services such as the use of fuels containing biological materials, carbon-neutral lubricant distribution, asphalt products (e.g. Bitumen Fresh Air) that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and the installation of EV charging stations in collaboration with leading car brands, as well as the initiation of nature-based solutions.

Based on our experience working with numerous industries, including Shell's regional teams, we believe the following operations will be critical to Thailand's net-zero emissions goal,: (1) In order to address global warming challenges in a sustainable manner, we must prioritize avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using low-carbon energy, implementing renewable energy such as electric, wind, and solar power, and carbon compensation. (2) Sustainable carbon reduction management must be performed at both speed and scale (2.1) the worldwide carbon credit registration standard;

(2.2) the domestic and international carbon credit trading markets; (2.3) the carbon tax system or ETS (Emission Trading System), which is utilised for greenhouse gas reduction research, supporting carbon reduction enterprise investment, and assisting those affected by natural disasters. (4) Promoting technological transfer and the aforementioned investment. (5) For the agricultural sector, in addition to reforestation, research into water-use efficiency in rice production and carbon farming for smallholder farmers.

Another highlight of Shell Forum 2022 was ‘The Change Makers’ session, which featured a conversation on the theme ‘All Roads Lead to Decarbonization’, with professionals from diverse industries sharing carbon reduction techniques. Dr. Jain Charnnarong, President of the Ananda Mahidol Scholarship Foundation, shared the foundation's role in a study of wildfires in Mae Ping, Omkoi, and Mae Tuen District, in Chiang Mai province, with 16 billion m² of repeated land burning and about 10 billion m² of forest that causes PM 2.5 pollution due to a lack of knowledge and understanding in farming and biological waste management. This may be addressed by educating local inhabitants and authorities about natural and environmental systems that will aid the reduction of carbon in the area. 

Meanwhile, Ms. Sopacha Dhumrongpiyawut, CEO of Gunkul Engineering plc, a private sector representative, is committed to providing technologies to assist the reduction of carbon emissions in sustainable energy production by increasing the amount of clean energy production in the power grid. Gunkul Engineering plc aims to generate 1,000 MW of electricity from wind and solar energy by 2024, emphasizing that Thailand can drive towards green energy through a combination of investment in technology, government regulation relief, digital ecosystem support, and investment support.

Assist Prof. Yossapong Laoonual, Assistant to the President for Sustainability Development at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and Honorary President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), discussed current trends in electric vehicles, which the public perceives as a significant reduction in carbon emissions on the roads. However, when all processes are included, the EV production process still produces more carbon than combustion engine cars, demanding further technological breakthroughs . Local SME entrepreneurs, on the other hand, can develop further if they are encouraged , which is immensely dependent on the government’s regulations and subsidies. The academic sector can also support the industry through research and development, while the private sector can contribute by developing new products and raising public awareness 

Ms. Aminta Permpoonwiwat, Thailand's delegate at Youth4Climate in Italy in September 2021, expressed interest in promoting sustainability education and awarenessamong underprivileged youth. She established the Youth Mentorship Project to bridge socioeconomic disparities as well as to empower and raise awareness about climate change, allowing everyone to work together to address this issue in a sustainable manner.

At the event's conclusion, businesses and organizations that have had significant impacts presented their insights under the topic ‘The Transformers’. Mr. Kazeem Khan, General Manager of Shell Asia-Pacific Nature-based Solutions, began by discussing Shell's achievement of carbon emissions reduction through reliance on nature and ecosystems so that nature can help absorb carbon dioxide, preventing greenhouse gas emissions, and balancing the surrounding ecosystem. Thailand offers natural areas that might assist carbon storage, which could be improved through mangrove conservation and restoration (Blue Carbon), forest fire control, managed agriculture or agroforestry. 

Mr. Kiatchai Maitriwong, Executive Director of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization, discussed Thailand's proposed greenhouse gas reduction ambition (as part of the global community) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and become a carbon-neutral society by 2050, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. In order to achieve the goals in each phase, the situation was described. For Thailand, approach to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions is a voluntary carbon market. Currently, there are around 100 registered enterprises. The company is committed to elevating the standard of the country's greenhouse gas reduction programme and assisting Thailand in becoming an ASEAN carbon credit trading hub . Therefore, in order to support Thailand in becoming carbon neutral, it established the Carbon Neutral Network (which currently has 256 members) through the collaboration of leading climate action organizations and climate action innovators. Thailand Carbon Credit Exchange facilitates the exchange of carbon credits Because the cost of reducing greenhouse gas emission varies bymeasure , the price must be established at an acceptable rate. Furthermore, the organization intends to improve the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Programme (T-VER) in order to propel Thailands’s carbon market towards its goals. 

Finally, Mr. Andrew Howard, Senior Director in Climate Policy and Strategy at Verra, a non-profit environmental organization based in the USA, addressed carbon credit and carbon markets on a global scale, recommending the establishment of carbon markets in collaboration with standardized entities. The government should begin by setting objectives for reducing carbon emissions and defining how to achieve them in the country, and then help other projects.

Since 2018, Shell Thailand has hosted the Shell Forum to foster collaboration among the government, corporate, and public sectors. It aims to serve as a forum for dialogue and the formation of action coalitions in order to raise public awareness on the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from both the private and public sectors, as well as to encourage all sectors to collaborate in order to contribute to Thailand's low-carbon society in a consistent and sustainable manner.

Mr. Panun Prachuabmoh, Country Chairman, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited; Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Prof. Pisut Painmanakul, Secretary to the Minister of Energy; and Thailand’s business leaders attending the Shell Forum 2022.

The discussion in ‘The Transformers’ session was led by Mr. Kazeem Khan, General Manager of Shell Asia-Pacific Nature-based Solutions; Mr. Kiatchai Maitriwong, Executive Director of Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization; and Mr. Andrew Howard, Senior Director in Climate Policy and Strategy of Verra.

Shell Forum 2022

For Media Enquiries:

Sudarat Peetakanont
Corporate Relations Advisor
Corporate Relations 
The Shell Company of Thailand Limited
M +66 2 262 7839
E sudarat.peetakanont@shell.com

Kaewta Ketbungkan
H+K Strategies Thailand
E hkshellthailand@hkstrategies.com

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