Bangkok E-Bus Programme Authorised by Switzerland and Thailand

Thailand and Switzerland have authorised a climate protection programme that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area through the introduction of electric vehicles in privately-operated public transport.

The Bangkok E-Bus Programme, owned by Energy Absolute Public Company Limited, is the first authorised programme under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in the whole of Asia and the second worldwide.

It is supported by the Foundation for Climate Protection and Carbon Offset KliK (KliK Foundation). By purchasing the resulting Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), the KliK Foundation makes the programme financially viable.

Thailand and Switzerland’s two Ministers of Environment signed a cooperation agreement on climate action under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on 24 June 2022. This bilateral agreement regulates the cooperation between the two countries and establishes the legal framework for the implementation of climate protection activities by the KliK Foundation.

The ITMOs achieved with KliK Foundation’s financial support are transferred in accordance with the bilateral agreement and used to meet Switzerland's emission reduction target under the Paris Agreement.

The cooperation agreement ensures that the ITMOs, in addition to Thailand’s unconditional NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), meet the highest standards of quality, environmental integrity, SDGs and human rights. To avoid double counting, Thailand commits to increase its emissions balance by the amount of ITMOs transferred to Switzerland.

“Bangkok E-Bus is the first programme developed in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Asia and among the first worldwide. In implementing this programme, Energy Absolute Public Company Limited is acting as a pioneer in this field of cooperative climate protection in Thailand,” said Chatrapon Sripratum, Vice President, Strategy Development and Investment at Energy Absolute Public Company Limited.

“This contribution towards a decarbonised economy will act as a beacon programme and inspire other private sector actors in Thailand to scale up their climate action,” he added.

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