The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) presented its perspectives from the cement industry at the Thailand Climate Action Conference 2025 (TCAC 2025), highlighting that clear policies, laws, funding, and mechanisms aligned with the Paris Agreement-together with ‘systematic action’ under a Public-Private-People Partnership-are vital for achieving sustainable success and tackling the global climate crisis.
Dr Chana Poomee, Chairman of TCMA, shared his insights on the upcoming COP30 negotiations during the conference held under the theme ‘Inspiring Climate Solutions for All’ at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok.
Dr Chana emphasised that, from the cement industry’s perspective, urgent action to address climate change is critical. To achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets, it is essential to ‘establish a systematic mechanism,’ ‘be part of the solutions,’ and ‘take meaningful action.’
He added that clear policies, laws, and plans are fundamental to ensuring effective implementation of national strategies. TCMA has prioritised the passage of the Climate Change Act, Thailand’s first law addressing global warming, which establishes a framework for greenhouse gas reduction, climate adaptation, and systematic participation across all sectors-supporting the country’s progression towards its Net Zero goal.
Driving climate action also requires a structured, integrated mechanism linking all sectors through a Public-Private-People Partnership (PPP). This approach fosters collaboration among government, business, and civil society to jointly pursue climate targets.
An exemplary initiative is the SARABURI SANDBOX LOW CARBON CITY, which aims to make Saraburi Province Thailand’s first low-carbon city, with a particular focus on transitioning the cement industry to Net Zero by 2050. The SARABURI SANDBOX is also the first industrial cluster in Thailand to join the World Economic Forum’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters programme, promoting economic growth, job creation, and carbon reduction through synergistic collaboration.
Dr Chana stressed that climate action cannot be achieved by one sector alone. ‘Collaboration benefits industry, communities, and the nation alike,’ he said. This principle underpins TCMA’s ‘3Cs’ framework: Collaborative Mindset to foster shared understanding and cooperation; Collaborative Action to turn commitments into tangible results; and Collaborative Value to ensure measurable social and environmental benefits.
He also noted that bilateral and multilateral international cooperation would enable access to green finance-an essential component for advancing Thailand’s green economy, reducing emissions, and strengthening competitiveness through investment in low-carbon infrastructure.
In recent years, TCMA has secured funding support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). This collaboration allows Thailand’s cement industry to adopt advanced technologies and innovations, such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), and promotes knowledge exchange with leading global organisations including the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA).
‘Saraburi Sandbox is a field-based pilot project and a model of integrated collaboration between government, industry, and civil society. At the same time, we are strengthening cooperation with international networks, both bilateral and multilateral, to ensure that Thailand’s progress is recognised globally,’ Dr Chana said.
He concluded by expressing confidence that Thailand would leverage COP30 in Brazil this November to enhance its greenhouse gas reduction commitments and accelerate climate-related legislation. ‘This is a key opportunity to build international cooperation and secure financial resources to support Thailand’s emission reduction goals. TCMA stands ready to support these efforts,’ he affirmed.