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Dear Readers,
Here we are already at the second issue of 2020! As you know, the COVID-19 situation seems better in Thailand but you should be still careful and take good care of yourself.
First, we would like to announce that after six years with GIZ Thailand and Country Director of GIZ Thailand and Malaysia for the last two, Mr. Tim Mahler returned to Germany at the end of April to assume the position of Director for Business Development at GIZ headquarter. His replacement, Mr. Reinhold Elges, will take up his post as Country Director with effect from July 2020. An article about Tim Mahler appears in this issue.
We also feature a few highlights from the projects including an article about Palm Oil: the other side of the truth. Another interesting article is how Thailand is stimulating know-how on climate-resilience in the river basins. Read it to learn the methods the project is using to protect water resources from climate change. Also, get to know the new ASEAN project launched to promote sustainable agricultural production and trade. And, as ever, there is much more to browse and enjoy!
For more regular updates, please visit us at: www.thai-german-cooperation.info and www.facebook.com/gizthailand.
Take care of yourself and keep those hands washed!
Best regards,
Your newsletter team |
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| New ASEAN project promotes sustainable agricultural value chains |
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| “Thailand Oil Palm Smallholder Academy”, a handy tool for farmers to achieve sustainable palm oil |
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The Sustainable and Climate-Friendly Palm Oil Production and Procurement in Thailand project together with the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DoAE) develop a farmers’ training curriculum for sustainable palm oil production. |
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The “Thailand Oil Palm Smallholder Academy” course will help farmers learn about systematic palm plantation management, such as proper fertiliser utilisation and establishing a database on palm production. |
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By applying this knowledge, farmers will be able to access the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Standard. |
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Palm Oil: the other side of the truth
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Palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) does not cause the clearing of forests with important biodiversity, such as endangered species, or fragile ecosystems. |
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Certified palm growers must take measures to minimise soil erosion and protect water resources while also paying attention to such human rights issues as fair payment, not using child labour and obtaining consent from the local community. |
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However, there is no demand from many consumers for sustainable palm oil. This is because they do not know that palm oil is an important ingredient found in everyday products.
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CHANGES IN THE FIELDS OF COFFEE
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Labour, soil degradation and water management are the major problems coffee growers face. |
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The Coffee+ project organised the “Farmer Business School (FBS)” course for farmers to learn about farm management and how to calculate outgoings and income. |
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From the training, the farmers learned that keeping records of how much they spend and on what is as important as the physical farming.
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| THAI TESTS RECONFIRM SAFETY OF R290 FOR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS |
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The test was held for the first time in Thailand to allow Thai producers understand what they need to focus on during the design and production of the R290 units. |
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The result of the test will ease consumers’ concerns over safety because there is a low flammability risk as long as the products conform to the IEC 60335-2-40 standard. |
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The Thai Industrial Standard Institute is in the process of updating the Thai Industrial Standard to cover safety standard for air conditioning using flammable refrigerants. |
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| Bringing climate technology to enhance resilient livelihood in Thailand |
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The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and the Office of National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) are identifying technology to adapt to climate change with support from GIZ. |
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The Climate Technology Roadmap and Database will be developed for 6 sectors. |
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Local practices and local wisdom will also be taken into account.
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| High-level initial talks on new collaboration for Thailand’s climate data |
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The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and GIZ jointly discuss the development of climate information service for climate change adaptation. |
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The development of science-based climate information will help decision makers to incorporate climate risk aspects into their planning and goals such as enhancing food security, building resilient cities to reduce disaster loss and damage, flood and drought risk management, etc. |
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Thailand prepares its first Climate Change Act
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The Office of National Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) was assigned to develop the draft of Thailand’s first Climate Change Act. |
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ONEP is currently in the process of drafting the Act for a public hearing process on an online platform and at regional meetings across the country. |
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The draft Act will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval by December 2020.
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| 60 provinces prepped with knowledge on how to mainstream climate actions into provincial context |
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60 Thai provinces received training in the integration of climate change aspects with provincial development planning. |
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Substantial and sustainable climate change implementation at the subnational level will take account of local context including economic, social and environmental aspects. |
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5 – 10 provinces will be selected and provided with in-depth support during the process of the integration of the planning. |
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