At the CEO Forum: SCG ESG Symposium 2024, 47 leading Thai organizations from sectors such as retail, real estate, packaging, sugar, cement, and construction materials joined forces with the Thai SME Federation to address Thailand’s transition to a low-carbon society. The forum focused on six key sustainable practices:
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Waste Management & Recycling: Currently, only 20% of recyclable waste in Thailand is recycled. The plan emphasizes better waste separation at the source and collaboration between private sectors. SCG calls for government intervention to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and transparent waste management systems.
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Sustainable Packaging: The development of sustainable packaging, especially for food products, faces challenges. To overcome these, tax incentives and government support for research into packaging innovations are recommended. Educational efforts are also vital in raising awareness of sustainable packaging.
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Supporting SMEs in the Green Transition: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant barriers due to limited resources. The symposium encouraged the view of ESG as a business opportunity, urging government-backed green loans and incentives to help SMEs transition and capitalize on new markets.
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GHG & Waste Reduction in Building Design: Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste should be addressed from the initial design stage of construction projects. Incentives like tax breaks, low-interest loans, and green certifications will encourage low-carbon practices, with a focus on recycling materials post-construction.
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GHG & Waste Reduction in the Construction Value Chain: The construction industry contributes heavily to GHG emissions. Collaborative efforts between public and private sectors will promote low-carbon materials and knowledge sharing. Solar-powered buildings and carbon credit use are also recommended to improve competitiveness.
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Energy Transition & Saraburi Sandbox: Saraburi, a key cement production hub, must shift to clean energy across production and transportation. Collaboration between electric vehicle producers, infrastructure developers, and clean energy providers will accelerate this transition. The Saraburi Sandbox initiative will expand green practices, such as the Waste-to-Material approach, to other regions.
Thammasak Sethaudom, President & CEO of SCG, said, “This forum gathers business leaders to unlock new opportunities in Thailand’s green transition. With the combined revenues of participating organizations exceeding 1.25 trillion baht, our collaboration will drive progress and enhance Thailand’s competitive edge.”
Source: Bangkok Post
