Thailand’s formidable progress in sustainability efforts was highlighted recently when its ranking rose to the 43rd position from last year’s 44th, according to the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). This bit of information was shared by Thanyaporn Krichtitayawuth, the network’s executive director, who was referencing the figures from the Sustainable Development Report 2023.
Discussing the performance, Thanyaporn Krichtitayawuth revealed that Thailand’s impressive score of 74.7 in 2023 strikingly outweighed the East and South Asia average score of 67.2. While the rise in the global ranking is a remarkable feat, this 74.7 score further fortified Thailand’s position as a sustainability leader in the region.
As for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Thailand has been the exquisite leader for the past five years (2019-2023), sitting firmly at the top of the rankings. This exceptional performance is followed by countries like Vietnam securing 55th position globally, Singapore trailing at the 64th spot, followed by Indonesia (75th), Malaysia (78th), the Philippines (98th), Brunei (102nd), Cambodia (103rd), Laos (115th) and Myanmar (125th) on the world scale.
The government of Thailand’s unwavering commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) coupled with diligent alignment with national development strategies has significantly influenced this triumph. Not to be overshadowed, the Thai business sector also deserves massive accolades for their crucial role in accomplishing these targets, particularly in areas such as SDG4 (quality education), SDG6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG7 (affordable and clean energy), and SDG12 (responsible consumption and production).
Thanyaporn elaborated on these achievements, pointing out that on the SDG4 front, corporates embarked on initiatives to bolster educational development in local communities. They accomplished this by employing staff directly in these projects. For SDG6, businesses are establishing groundwater banks expected to aid over 20,000 households in their farming ventures.
In accordance with SDG7, Thanyaporn further disclosed that numerous businesses have stopped the usage of coal and have earnestly started to incorporate renewable energy resources within their operational strategies. Adding to this, for SDG12, businesses have embraced the circular economy model, designing innovative business and production methods to trim down material consumption. This includes turning down packaging materials that have adverse effects on the environment.
In conclusion, Thanyaporn stated that the SDGs are not mere goals to be accomplished. Instead, they are practical tools that the government, business corporations, and civil society sectors can leverage to attain sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. This progressive thinking and a unified approach towards sustainability is what makes Thailand’s journey both inspiring and commendable.
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