Municipal emission pathways and economic performance toward net-zero emissions: A case study of Nakhon Ratchasima municipality, Thailand

Athitinon Phupadtong; Orathai Chavalparit; Kultip Suwanteep; Takehiko Murayama

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119098

Municipal emission pathways and economic performance toward net-zero emissions: A case study of Nakhon Ratchasima municipality, Thailand

J Environ Manage. 2023 Dec 1:347:119098. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119098. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Authors

Athitinon Phupadtong¹, Orathai Chavalparit², Kultip Suwanteep³, Takehiko Murayama⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Electronic address: athitinon@gmail.com.
² Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Research Unit of Environmental Management and Sustainable Industry, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Electronic address: orathai.c@chula.ac.th.
³ Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan. Electronic address: suwanteep.k.aa@m.titech.ac.jp.
⁴ Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan. Electronic address: murayama.t.ac@m.titech.ac.jp.

PMID: 37776797
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119098

Abstract

The transition to net-zero emissions (NZEs) in developing countries is challenging and requires the immediate adoption of comprehensive climate policy packages, strong collaboration among all sectors and stakeholders, and timely financial and technological assistance for developing economies. This research aims to analyze and evaluate the pathways to realize an NZE scheme at the municipality level. Nakhon Ratchasima (NR) Municipality, Thailand, is selected as the case study for this research. The Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emission Inventories (GPC) is applied as the robust framework to assess the city's GHG emission profile. A mathematical forecasting model and the participatory multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach were adopted to support evidence-based local climate action planning based on four different scenarios: the business-as-usual (BAU), nationally determined contribution (NDC), carbon neutrality (CN), and NZE scenarios. The roles of stakeholders at the local community level across all sectors in mitigation actions and investment costs were investigated, and cost-effectiveness was evaluated to understand the economic performance of the adoption and implementation of local climate policy packages. The results indicate that by employing solely conventional technologies, a residential city that is also a hub for trade and land transportation will be unable to achieve its net-zero targets. It is imperative to seek additional low-carbon businesses and decarbonizing technologies that accompany substantial investments. According to the case of NR Municipality, the implementation costs to attain the NZE target by 2050 would range between 974.40 and 4.131.96 million USD. A pivotal driver of the municipal NZE pathway is the successful mobilization private sector investments to propel the transition toward climate-friendly technologies. Cost-effectiveness analysis significantly bolsters the municipality's transitional plan preparation, holistically encompassing economic, social, and environmental considerations. By preparing these aspects together, we ensure a smooth and equitable transition to net zero, avoid conflicts and economic harm and leave no one behind. This approach ensures a harmonious balance between a net-zero future, economic growth, and environmentally friendly living for all.

Keywords: Climate mitigation; Cost-effective analysis; GHG emissions; Local climate plan; Net-zero emission pathway; Transition plan.

MeSH terms

Carbon*
Costs and Cost Analysis
Thailand

Substances

Carbon