Thailand is located within a global production and regional consumption hub for market commodities. The country is the largest producer of rubber in the world, as well as one of the top international producers of palm oil and sugarcane. Thailand is also a major regional buyer and producer of forestry products.
The production of these key agricultural commodities has contributed to economic growth in Thailand, which has provided significant economic benefits and reduced poverty. But like many countries, Thailand is facing serious environmental challenges due to this rapid economic growth. This results in significant environmental impacts, including mangrove deforestation, reduced forest cover leading to increased GHG emissions, water and air pollution and loss of biodiversity.
The Thai component of the project applies a market-based approach in that it has developed model sites in northern Thailand (provinces Nan and Chiang Mai) with 1100 farming families involved and a total area of 500 hectares, on which agricultural practice is shifted towards sustainability.
WWF-Thailand is partnering with one of Thailand’s largest retailers (Central Group) to establish more sustainable value chains. A monitoring and traceability tool is developed to establish a strong producer-consumer partnership. Active communication, community development and campaigning engages consumers to reconsider their consumption choices and lifestyles, demand more sustainable products and lower their ecological footprint.
For videos explaining the Thai component in more detail, please follow this link.
Based on the agroforestry strategy “Three Forests, Four Benefits” under His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy”, WWF-Thailand launched the forest restoration funding model “FLR349”.
A research study on understanding consumers’ perception and behavior towards Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) was conducted as part of the Thai component of the SCP project. The main objective of the research was to gain in-depth understanding of and insight in consumer perception and behavior towards SCP in order to design communication plans and campaigning for promoting SCP in Thailand.