Suchat Orders Climate Action Department to Fast-Track Germany Negotiations for Climate Funding
Thailand's environment minister ordered the climate department to speed up negotiations with Germany for €30 million in climate funding to help the nation reduce emissions and build climate resilience by 2026.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has ordered the Department of Climate Change and Environment to accelerate negotiations with Germany to access IKI Large Grant 2026 funding for managing Thailand's climate crisis. On May 5th, he directed Dr. Pirun Saiyasitthipanich, the department's director-general, and other officials to negotiate a funding framework with the German government, positioning Thailand as a strategic partner to reduce greenhouse gases and enhance climate resilience. An initial video conference meeting was held on April 29th with Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, resulting in a preliminary agreement to request 30 million euros (approximately 1.14 billion baht). The funding is divided into two components: 10 million euros (approximately 380 million baht) for policy coordination and operational mechanism development with relevant agencies, and 20 million euros (approximately 760 million baht) in grant support for greenhouse gas reduction and co-benefits related to Thailand's natural resources and environment. The department is currently in advanced discussions to finalize the funding framework with German counterparts in June 2026 during the Bonn Climate Change Conference, where officials will meet under the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies for implementation and scientific and technological advice.
