The Excise Department, Chulalongkorn University, PTTOR, and Bangchak Sign MOU on Collaboration to Drive and Promote Carbon Tax Awareness and Sustainable Energy Practices

Dr. Paopoom stated that the Cabinet recently approved the principle of the draft Finance Ministry Regulation, Determining Excise Tax Rates (No. …) B.E. … which determines the criteria for the carbon price mechanism in the excise tax on fuel products. This is Thailand's first Mandatory Carbon Pricing mechanism, which shows the environmental costs associated with consuming various fuel products within the excise tax structure, calculated from the emission factor, a value that can be scientifically calculated, multiplied by a state-determined carbon price of THB 200 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent. This will enable the government to implement the tax mechanism to raise awareness among consumers and entrepreneurs about adopting sustainable consumption practices and environmentally friendly products and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the draft ministerial regulation is under consideration by the Office of the Council of State, which, if completed, will be announced in the Royal Gazette and is expected to come into effect this February.

In the meantime, the signing of the MOU will drive consumers' and entrepreneurs' awareness of the need to adopt environmental practices and products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, behavioral change data will be studied, analyzed, and evaluated to determine the effectiveness of such measures for future policy formulation. The Ministry of Finance, through the Excise Department, has received the cooperation of the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited, and Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited to pilot the campaign to raise consumer awareness by displaying the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction for consumers with each fuel fill-up on the screen at PTT Stations, and via the Bangchak Mobile Application. With each fuel fill-up, people will be informed of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from the amount of fuel purchased. This will result in behavioral change in the long run, Dr. Paopoom concluded.

Mr. Seri Anupantanan, Senior Executive Vice President, Marketing Business Group, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, stated that establishing a carbon price mechanism through an excise tax on fuel products is an essential first step in implementing tax measures to address climate change. As a leading Thai energy organization, Bangchak is delighted to contribute to raising awareness of the carbon tax, supporting sustainable energy practices, and developing a mechanism to track consumer energy practices in collaboration with the Excise Department and the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University. The primary goal is to enhance understanding of the carbon tax among consumers, especially Bangchak Green Miles members, who frequent Bangchak service stations that offer high-quality and environmentally friendly fuels. The initiative aims to raise consumer awareness on reducing greenhouse gases by making informed fuel choices, presenting information in an accessible format, and drawing comparisons to tree planting under the "Your Tree" campaign, which tracks data through the Bangchak Green Miles member application. This allows consumers to connect their use of eco-friendly fuels with environmental conservation efforts. Bangchak has been implementing this project continuously for over a decade. Additionally, the company has received Carbon Footprint of Product (CFP) certification for five fuel products, underscoring its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean energy consumption.

Mrs. Gloyta Nathalang, Senior Executive Vice President, Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, as Chairperson of Carbon Markets Club (CMC), added that CMC will launch a communication series on Carbon Tax and this campaign through various channels to help raise awareness among the public at large.

The carbon tax awareness promotion campaign will begin trial on 1 March 2025 and will last for three months, during which a research sample of approximately 3,500 people will be analyzed to evaluate the campaign's effectiveness in enhancing understanding of the carbon tax. The findings will guide future environmental and energy policy development. Bangchak extends its gratitude to partners, including government agencies, academics, the private sector, the media, customers, and Bangchak Green Miles members, who will contribute to this initiative to foster awareness of the carbon tax, drive a low-carbon society, and create a sustainable world.

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