The training session, held at Plukpanya Municipal School in Phuket Town on Tuesday (Dec 23) was opened by Chanthira Duangsai, Director of the Environmental and Pollution Control Office Region 15. The event was organised by the Phuket Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment in collaboration with the Phuket Village Environmental Volunteers Network.(TASM/VTE).
Participants included representatives from government agencies, the private sector, partner environmental organisations and eight schools taking part in the 8th Rajabhat Environmental Conservation Project.
The training aimed to build awareness, improve understanding of climate action initiatives, and strengthen community involvement in environmental protection and climate change mitigation.
Preechapat Khanvilaiakul, Chairman of the Phuket VTE Network Committee, said the programme was designed to provide practical guidance on reducing greenhouse gas emissions so participants could apply the knowledge within households, communities, schools and agencies.
Partner organisations supporting the initiative include Phuket Rajabhat University, Sirinat National Park, the Pollution Control Office Region 15, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Phuket City Municipality, the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 10, the Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office, Phuket Provincial Farmers’ Council, Phuket Vocational College and the Phuket Provincial Network for Environmental Conservation.
Opening the event, Ms Chanthira highlighted data from the Provincial Climate Change and Biodiversity Coordination Centre showing Phuket emitted approximately 3.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019, with projections rising to 4.6mn tonnes by 2030. Phuket has therefore set a target to reduce its emissions by about 400,000 tonnes, or 9.6%, within the same period.
Key strategies include improving energy efficiency, promoting alternative energy, managing transportation impacts, and strengthening solid waste and wastewater management.
Ms Chanthira said the workshop was an important step in equipping communities and agencies with the knowledge and tools needed to help the province move towards sustainable development goals through coordinated cooperation among all sectors.