The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has joined with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) to set guidelines for the Mice industry to go green.
TGO acting executive director Prasertsuk Chamornmarn (left) and Thongchai Sridama, TCEB's committee, acting on behalf of the president attend a signing. Both public organisations believe their cooperation will help to reduce global warming and build a lowcarbon society that will strengthen the competitiveness of the Thai Mice industry. THANARAK KHOONTON
The collaboration involves guidance on carbon footprint assessment for the business of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.
Carbon footprint assessment refers to the level of emissions produced by an exhibition and how to reduce it.
The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding to develop stringent guidelines on carbon footprints for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions industry.
TCEB's comittee Thongchai Sridama said operators are encouraged to be part of the effort to reduce global warming and build a low-carbon society that will strengthen the competitiveness of the Thai Mice industry.
The US, Japan and developed countries in Europe are concerned about global warming, he said.
The TCEB wants to make Thailand a green destination for Mice business and stand out from key competitors in the region, especially Malaysia and Singapore.
The Green Meeting Industry Council has recognised Bangkok as a green Mice destination.
Under the forthcoming guidelines, other provinces will hopefully gain such recognition as well.
The draft guidelines have been completed, and the TCEB will train businesses on how to measure carbon emissions. TCEB certification will be issued to those passing the criteria.
The credential is similar to the Green Reef certification in the hotel industry.
The TGO says Thailand emits 230 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year _ 70% from the energy sector, 24% comes from agriculture and the rest from other sectors.
Prasertsuk Chamornmarn, the TGO's acting executive director, said the attempt to reduce emissions in Mice will benefit Thailand as it bids to host international events.
Besides the effort to reduce emissions, the TCEB has established different standards for the Mice industry including the ISO 500001 energy management standard and ISO 20121 for sustainable management of the events business.