TCMA collaborates with the government and partners with UNIDO to kick off the Canadian government's Green Fund, advancing the pilot project for carbon reduction in the cement and concrete industry at the 'Saraburi Sandbox', serving as a model for carbon reduction initiatives to be shared across the region.

Dr. Chana Poomi, President of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) stated that the cement industry is a key driver of the economy, accounting for 7.7% of Thailand's GDP, with a demand for cement to support infrastructure development, mega projects, industrial factories, commerce, and housing.

TCMA announced the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap during the COP27 meeting in November 2022. The cement industry, represented by TCMA members, which includes all cement producers in Thailand, is continuously working towards carbon reduction in various aspects, with a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Currently, there has been continuous progress, including intensive localized efforts in Saraburi, the largest cement-producing province in Thailand, under the Saraburi Sandbox, the first low-carbon city model in Thailand. This initiative is a collaboration between the public, private, and civil society sectors (Public-Private-People Partnership: PPP), focusing on green industry advancement, technology, innovation, and connecting international mechanisms while fostering collaboration among various sectors. The introduction of a Green Fund is crucial for the transition to Net Zero by 2050 and supports the country's carbon reduction goals as outlined in the Thailand NDC Roadmap.

The first year of the carbon reduction pilot project has commenced, reflecting the urgent collaborative efforts of all sectors and partnerships with various agencies to achieve practical development under a clear operational policy. The support from the Green Fund, access to modern technology and innovation, and the collaborative mechanisms of the government are driving everything forward.

“TCMA expresses gratitude to the Thai and Canadian governments for recognizing the continuous efforts of the Thai cement industry. Government policy support is crucial for success. The Green Fund, supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), along with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as the project management unit, and GCCA, the global cement and concrete organization, are instrumental in fostering collaboration. The pilot project not only aids the Thai cement and concrete industry in contributing to the national greenhouse gas reduction targets but also allows UNIDO to use this pilot as a model for knowledge exchange to other industries, including ASEAN countries and others in the region,” Dr. Chana concluded.