The world is facing an undeniable crisis. The latest data for 2024 reveals that global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from energy-related activities increased by 0.8% from the previous year, reaching a record high of 37.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂). Although this rate of increase is lower than the global economic growth rate of 3.2%, the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen alarmingly. The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide has reached 422.5 parts per million (ppm), an increase of approximately 3 ppm compared to 2023, and approximately 50% higher than pre-industrial levels. (1)

The accumulation of these greenhouse gases is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—which create a blanket-like effect covering the Earth, trapping heat from the sun and preventing it from escaping. This results in rising surface temperatures beyond normal levels and leads to increasingly severe natural disasters. (2)

Human activities have caused global temperatures to rise by approximately 1.0°C compared to pre-industrial levels, and temperatures are projected to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052. The impacts of this phenomenon are multifaceted, ranging from severe droughts, floods, wildfires, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss. Notably, over 1 million species of animals and plants worldwide are at risk of extinction within the next few decades—the highest number in human history. (2)

One significant cause of increased carbon dioxide emissions in 2024 is extreme weather phenomena. This year is the hottest on record, surpassing 2023, resulting in a massive increase in energy demand for cooling, which accounts for approximately 80% of the total increase in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions this year. (1)

Examining the energy sector more closely reveals that fossil fuels remain a major factor driving increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly natural gas. Natural gas emissions increased by 2.5%, or approximately 180 million tons, in 2024, making it a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, coal emissions rose by 0.9%, or approximately 135 million tons. This growth in energy use primarily occurred in emerging and developing economies. (1)

Particularly in Asian countries, India experienced the highest increase in carbon dioxide emissions among major economies, surging by 5.3% due to rapidly increasing energy demand and infrastructure development. Although China's carbon dioxide emission growth slowed to 0.4%, its per capita emissions remain 16% higher than developed countries and nearly double the global average. However, among Advanced Economies, there is a positive trend, with emissions decreasing by 1.1% in 2024. (1)

Despite the concerning global situation, there is a bright perspective from clean energy. Global energy demand growth in 2024 stood at 2.2%, primarily driven by electricity demand, which increased by 4.3%—a rapid growth rate. Notably, in 2024, 80% of global electricity generation growth came from renewable energy sources and nuclear power. (1)

New renewable energy capacity installations continued to set records for the 22nd consecutive year, with approximately 700 gigawatts of renewable electricity capacity added in 2024, of which nearly 80% came from solar photovoltaic systems. Progress in five key clean technologies—solar PV, wind power, nuclear energy, electric vehicles, and heat pumps—installed since 2019 has helped reduce cumulative carbon dioxide emissions by 2.6 billion tons per year, equivalent to 7% of global emissions. Without these technologies, carbon dioxide emissions would have increased at a rate three times higher than current levels. (1)

Thailand's situation falls within the group of International Energy Agency (IEA) partner countries. Climate change directly and significantly impacts lives and the economy, particularly in the agricultural sector, which faces cumulative impacts between 2011-2045 of 17,912 to 83,826 million baht per year due to heat stress and rainfall fluctuations. These conditions result in impaired soil fertility and crop damage, such as cassava rotting from excessive rainfall or sugarcane suffering from prolonged drought. (2)

Moreover, global warming poses a significant threat to coastal communities. Approximately 23% of Thailand's coastal areas face erosion and land loss of 1-5 meters per year, resulting in economic losses of up to 6,000 million baht. Drought is another high risk, particularly in the Northeast and Southern regions. These situations clearly demonstrate that climate change impacts are not equally distributed, with the heaviest impacts falling on low-income groups, communities in natural disaster-prone areas, and businesses directly dependent on weather conditions, such as tourism and agriculture. (2)

Thailand's greenhouse gas emissions data from the 2018 greenhouse gas inventory indicates that over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector, which accounts for 69.06% of total emissions, with electricity and heat production comprising 40.05% of emissions in this sector. (2)

The agricultural sector follows with approximately 15.69% of emissions. Although not as high as the energy sector, it is highly vulnerable to climate change because livelihoods in this sector clearly depend on weather conditions. The industrial processes and product use sector emits approximately 10.77%, with more than half (approximately 51.28%) coming from cement production. Meanwhile, the waste management sector emits approximately 4.88%, with solid waste disposal accounting for 52.53%. (2)

To respond to this crisis and fulfill commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Thailand has established Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 30% and an ambitious target of 40% from business-as-usual scenarios by 2030, with the National Action Plan on Greenhouse Gas Reduction 2021-2030 serving as the implementation framework. (3)

However, climate change impacts extend beyond environmental concerns to issues of justice and equity affecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable groups and future generations who must face future risks. Awareness and urgent action are therefore crucial in addressing the challenges facing countries worldwide from now on. (2)

References: (1) https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/.../GlobalEnergyReview2...

        (2) https://www.undp.org/sto.../greenhouse-emissions-thailand-th

        (3) https://www.dcce.go.th/datacenter/653/

Source: Department of Climate Change and Environment