Bangkok, 4 December 2024 – Following the recent global climate negotiations at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) hosted a high-impact debriefing event at Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana. Officials, experts, and civil societies gathered to dissect the outcomes of COP29, exploring their implications for Thailand and beyond.

At COP29, 197 countries and the European Union collectively made significant progress on climate finance, carbon market mechanisms, transparency frameworks, and adaptation measures. However, there were still important compromises, especially on the new climate finance goal and some critical issues were left unresolved until future negotiating sessions.

Thailand’s Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities from COP29

The event began with a speech by Dr Phirun Saiyasitpanich, DG of DCCE, summarising the result from COP29 and Thailand’s next steps towards NDC2035. This was followed by a panel discussion ‘Road from COP29 to Thailand’, moderated by Kitti Singhapat, which emphasised the following priorities:

1. New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG): Tripling Support for Developing NationsEarning the title “Finance COP”, by Krittaya Chunhaviriyakul, Director of Climate Measure and Mechanism Section, DCCE. Even though the new goal is far less than countries expected, COP29 still marked a pivotal moment with the decision to triple annual financial support to developing countries from $100 billion to $300 billion by 2035. Additionally, the agreement includes a collective effort to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to support developing nations in achieving their climate goals. This support will focus on climate adaptation and mitigation. The session also discussed opportunities for Thailand’s access to the funding and the new challenges that may arise.
2. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: Operationalising Carbon Markets, by Puttipar Rotkittikhun, Director of the Carbon Credit Certification Office, Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization). The session updated the operationalisation of carbon trading mechanisms under Article 6, which was finally finalised, including bilateral market-based cooperation (Article 6.2) and the centralised carbon market mechanism (Article 6.4). Moreover, the agreement was accompanied by capacity-building initiatives to assist developing nations in participating in these markets effectively.
3. Transparency Framework, by Sivach Kaewcharoen, Director of Climate Change Mitigation Division, The panel updated the advancement of the transparency mechanism and Thailand’s plan to conduct a public hearing and submit the country’s Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) within 2024. Additionally, the results from COP29 will lead to consideration of financial and technical support from developed nations toward the implementation of the transparency framework, on which Thailand through DCCE will cooperate with other countries including Australia, Japan and the United States.
4. Loss and Damage and Climate Change Adaptation, by Teerapong  Laopongpith, Director of Climate Change Risk Analysis Subdivision, DCCE. The panel updated the progress on the Loss and Damage Fund, in particular COP29’s decision to ensure the full operationalization of the Fund. To date, the total pledged financial support for the Fund exceeds $730 million. He also mentioned the challenge of access to the limited fund and a funding framework in the long term.

Thailand, led by DCCE, is setting the stage for a transformative climate roadmap, integrating global commitments with local needs. The CCMB project will play a crucial role in mainstreaming and implementing this vision, ensuring alignment with international efforts. As the world turns its gaze to COP30, Thailand’s journey exemplifies the critical interplay of ambition, collaboration and action in the face of a warming planet.

More information about CCMB: Climate, Coastal, and Marine Biodiversity (CCMB) – Thai-German Cooperation