The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, held a press conference to launch the trading of carbon credits from community forests towards sustainable forest management. The event took place at the Aree Samphan Meeting Room, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Bangkok. Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over the event. This initiative allows communities managing forests to benefit from the sale of carbon credits, with the revenue being used for forest conservation in accordance with the Community Forest Policy Committee’s regulations on the receipt, storage, and expenditure of community forest income, B.E. 2565 (2022), for community forest management to ensure the continued abundance of community forests.
Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that, on behalf of the government and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the carbon credit initiative has expanded from small-scale operations to the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction efforts, aligning with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through cooperation from all sectors. There is a growing awareness, consciousness, and willingness to collaborate to further enhance these efforts.
He also invited the private sector and community organizations interested in supporting community forests to participate in conservation, restoration, and management projects. Beyond the carbon credit benefits and the legal rights to share in the proceeds, the shared benefits derived from community-led conservation, restoration, replanting, and wildfire prevention will lead to abundant forests that serve as water sources and ensure food security for communities. These forests can also be used as learning centers for nature studies or for community-based ecotourism, promoting reduced expenses, increased income, and creating economic opportunities/income for communities through community products or study visits. Simultaneously, this will support the implementation of climate change initiatives, in line with Thailand’s stated commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065, to elevate our progress further.
CR. Source: thebangkokinsight.com (https://www.thebangkokinsight.com/news/environmental-sustainability/1388515//)
