Thailand ranks 24th in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) mixed ratings, with a high score in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, medium in energy use, low in climate policy, and very low in renewable energy.
Thailand’s Taxonomy Phase 2, which is now open for public consultation, focuses on defining sustainable economic activities in the agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, and waste management sectors. This taxonomy guides businesses and governments in aligning with both international and Thai environmental standards, promoting green finance and investment.
This comes amid a growing partnership between Thailand and Australia over climate change initiatives.
Among successful green transition efforts, Australia has been one of the most progressive countries in driving the green economy forward following policy changes in 2023.
“The transition to renewable energy is accelerating, especially in South Australia, which by 2027 will generate all of its electricity from renewable sources, backed by large-scale battery storage,” said Australian Ambassador to Thailand Angela Macdonald.
At the national level, Australia has legislated a target of reducing emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to current levels, and has recently announced a more ambitious target of 62-70% by 2035.
“With a vast landmass, the driest continent on Earth, Australia has been tackling the effects of climate change — water scarcity, air quality challenges — very clearly,” Ms Macdonald told participants at the Talk Stage at the Sustainability Expo 2025 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on Wednesday.
“Thailand, while smaller geographically, has a much larger population and is part of Asean, our regional neighbourhood. The challenges we face — plastics in the oceans, PM2.5 pollution, emissions, flooding — are not confined to one country. They are regional and global,” she said.
“Collaboration with Thailand and Asean will help us navigate these issues and address them together.”
Australia’s contributions to Thailand’s decarbonisation efforts are being implemented through the Mekong-Australia Partnership.
Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is also collaborating with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to enhance electricity grid stability.
“That’s just one government-level collaboration. At the same time, many Australian businesses are bringing commercial solutions in energy and green innovation,” Ms Macdonald said.
Australia-Thailand collaborations extend across multiple initiatives, including Bangkok’s Makkasan Park, the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network and advancements in battery technology, green hydrogen, and pumped hydro energy storage.