The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangchak Group, SCG, and PTT Oil and Retail Business pcl (OR) successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 30,295.40 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO2e) through the “Care the Bear” Project. The amount was equivalent to carbon absorption by 3,366 trees.
Under the project, six Cares practices were implemented for six days with APEC Economic Leaders' Week “Green Media Center” during 14-19 November 2022. The success was attributable to the collaborative efforts of key partners, all exhibitors and the media that used the Media Center at LG Floor, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) and aspired to create a model for environmental management, optimised resource and energy utilisation as well as integrated waste Management in line with the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tanee Sangrat said that the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy was one of APEC 2022’s key issues, dubbed the engine towards sustainable economic development. The Care the Bear Project, the collaboration with the SET and partners, was a success as it reduced Green Media Center’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30,295.40 kgCO2e throughout the six-day period, equivalent to the annual carbon sequestration by 3,366 trees. Based on Bangchak Group’s calculation, the Media Center’s (pre-verification) emissions reached 2,366 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and the entire amount will be offset by VERs carbon credits through Carbon Markets Club. Providing innovative recycled paper solution for decoration, SCG will recycle paper waste to bookshelves. Meanwhile, OR will recycle and upcycle plastic waste to new materials. The collaboration plays an essential role in materialising APEC 2022’s concrete and measurable actions in combating the global warming. This will be a model for world-class events and effectively reflect the Bangkok Goals.
SET President Pakorn Peetathawatchai said that the exchange hopes the Care the Bear Project will be the impetus that ignites behavioural changes among organisations and the general public and the collaboration to reduce emissions, fight global warming and drive towards low-carbon society. The six Cares practices involve use of public transport or carpooling, cutting back on paper or plastic, zero use of foam, energy efficiency, application of recyclable decorative materials and food waste reduction. The results of the implementation of these practices are as follows:
· Organisers and visitors mostly reached the venue by electric train and shuttle bus, effectively reducing transportation-related emissions by 5,343.59 kgCO2e or the annual carbon absorption by 594 trees.
· Meeting participants cooperated and showed understanding in waste sorting, enabling the recycling of nearly 100 percent of waste.
· Meeting participants helped by scooping sizeable portions of food, which facilitated waste sorting and reduced emissions by 11,383.82 kgCO2e or the annual carbon sequestration by 1,265 trees.
· Exhibiting organisations lent a hand by reusing decorative materials, which helped reduce emissions by 5,043.37 kgCO2e or the annual carbon sequestration by 560 trees.
· Moreover, SCG, after the event, will recycle paper waste to bookshelves which will reduce emissions by 36.33 kgCO2e or the annual carbon sequestration by four trees.
Organisations interested in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of their events can visit www.carethebear.com for more information.
