The Role of Local Government in Thailand in Environmental Management for Climate Change Adaptation

Authors

  • Chittranut Kiatadisorn King Prajadhipok’s Institute

Keywords:

Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation, Greenhouse Gas, Greenhouse Effect

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the roles, responsibilities, and capacities of local government concerning environmental management, particularly in relation to addressing climate change conditions. Employing a mixed method research approach, this research studies the related documents and surveys of 2,149 local government organizations across the country through a structured questionnaire that addressed the local governments' environmental management practices and three dimensions: adaptation, mitigation, and capacity-building, all of which are linked to climate change conditions. The study discovers that environmental management isn't a primary focus for most organizations, with smaller bodies showing more commitment to environmental spending. Waste management emerges as the top priority, driven by community concerns.

Regarding adaptation, there's decent awareness of climate change issues among local governments, with 38.43% engaging in adaptation activities, primarily policy-driven measures and aiding vulnerable groups. Insufficient green spaces cover less than 20% of the country, indicating a need for more environmentally friendly areas. Concerning greenhouse gas mitigation, local governments undertake activities, scoring an average of 36.82%. Key actions focus on waste management and building controls, yet nearly half the surveyed area lacks adequate waste management. In terms of capacity building, about 60.66% lack activities related to data, research, and technology for climate change adaptation. The majority of local government support the concept of decentralizing power to handle emergencies independently (70.40%), increasing budgets for water source development (63.70%), and seeking central authority support for sustainable green city initiatives (55.80%).

This study highlights the varied environmental management landscape within Thai local governments, emphasizing the need for enhanced focus, resource allocation, and collaborative efforts to combat climate change effectively.

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Published

2023-12-28

How to Cite

Kiatadisorn, C. (2023). The Role of Local Government in Thailand in Environmental Management for Climate Change Adaptation. PAAT Journal, 5(10), 51–65. retrieved from https://so10.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/paatj/article/view/926

Issue

Section

Research Article