Thailand Greenhouse Management Organization is promoting the carbon footprint in order to support the Thai industrial sector in implementing the low carbon trend. Already in some developed countries, industries are paying increasing attention to the concept of a ‘carbon footprint’ for their products. The use of a carbon footprint on Thai products should increase the competitiveness of Thai industries in the world market.
The carbon footprint takes into account the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions from each production unit for the whole life cycle (cradle to grave) of a particular product. Carbon footprint thus calculates the carbon dioxide equivalent of the emissions issuing from the extraction of raw materials, transportation and parts for assembly all the way to waste management for end of product life.
Current status
At the moment, TGO is launching its pilot project where 20 producers (20 products) are allowed to apply to the first commitment period which takes place from April 2009 to October 2009. The producers will attend a training course where they will learn about data collection and calculation of the carbon footprint with help from National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Thailand (MTEC) and National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) as well as LCA experts from universities.
TGO is currently holding a Carbon Footprint Design Contest, encouraging university students and the general public to submit their logo for the carbon footprint (more details of the contest available on TGO’s website at www.tgo.or.th). The official carbon footprint logo will be released in June 2009. Furthermore, there will be a launching ceremony for the carbon footprint project on 8 April at Novotel Siam Square. We expect the first carbon footprint logo to be awarded to the first product in November 2009.
Carbon Footprint
Website: Thai Carbon Label Project