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International Women's Day 2022 Thai Parliament Promotes Green Agenda to Accelerate the sustainable development goals

The Memorandum of Understanding signed between UNDP and the Parliament of Thailand in 2020 to support parliamentarians and parliamentary staff towards the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into the Parliament’s core functions. Addressing climate action is also at the forefront of the 2030 Agenda, where UNDP has actively engaged with Parliament in finding ways to integrate climate action into Thailand’s legislation.

To commemorate International Women’s Day 2022 under the theme “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” UNDP presents an interview with Mrs. Pornpith Phetchareon, Secretary-General of Thailand's House of Representatives as she reflects on the Secretariat’s role in promoting the “Green Parliament” agenda.

Could you give us some examples of the role of Parliament related to climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response?

Mr. Chuan Leekpai, the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives has a vision to support the Sustainable Development Agenda and has therefore devised a policy to drive the “Green Parliament” agenda which has been ongoing for the past 2 years.

The new parliament building was also constructed under an eco-friendly concept, starting with the design which can let in natural light in order to be energy efficient, conserving the use of electricity and providing accessible pathways enabling staff to be able to access the various parts of the building without having to use elevators. In addition, there are now many ‘green spaces’ within the building, with a courtyard dedicated to placing various types of plants. The Parliament has also started construction of a ‘Green Parliament Library” which was modeled after Rangsit University, Kasetsart University and Mahidol University.

Every Wednesday and Thursday morning before the formal meeting Members of Parliament convene to discuss various issues relevant to climate and disasters including PM 2.5, drought and other issues and how they can address these issues within communities. These issues are then carried forward to relevant agencies in order to seek address these concerns faced by citizens. So MPs are the mediators. The Standing Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment are directly responsible and now we are in the midst of passing the national legislation on environmental conservation. The Parliament is responsible for gathering issues from various stakeholders in accordance to the Thai Constitution Article 77. Our office gathered inputs from the MPs and relevant stakeholders citizens through the website in the process of passing this legislation.

How do you in your role as Secretary General contribute to this work?

The Secretariat of the House of Representatives set up a Green Office Committee which consists of many environmental experts representing agencies such as the Pollution Control Department to share their knowledge for the Secretariat’s office in compliance with the Speaker’s mandate.

In the last year we organized a “Green Office” competition among 23 agencies, and each bureau came up with their own concept which included ideas on recycling, procuring supplies that are eco-friendly. These are things we consider very seriously, for example the Bureau of Printing Services uses eco-friendly paper and ink that meets the standard set by the Pollution Control Department, energy conservation and water management, where there would be a third party audit. The Bureau of Inter-Parliamentary Organizations won under the idea of “Clean for Green Office” concept to raise awareness among staff and people who access the Parliament building in conserving valuable resources, for example by recycling. This activity is entering its second year now.

This year we hope to persuade other bureaus to enter the green office competition organized by the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion and we will enter the Bureau of Printing Services into the competition so they can serve as a role model for others.

How will you motivate your staff to carry forward the “Green Parliament” agenda or raise awareness on climate issues?

We hope to push this Green Parliament agenda into the legislative branch so it can serve as a model and assimilate into the DNA of Parliamentarians. If we announce that the Thai Parliament is green, not only growing plants in the building or effective water management we need to have more impact which can become a mandate where Members of Parliament and others in this building can jointly implement, we hope to get sustainable results going forward.

I want our staff to adopt ‘green office’ practices into their daily lives well beyond the competition. We need to build a green platform that spans into other offices and raise awareness among staff about creating sustainability. They need to apply their knowledge into their homes and their families, which will in turn create an environmentally conscious society and the country in the long run.

COVID-19 has indirectly impacted people’s behavior in terms of working from home and utilizing online communication platforms thereby reducing carbon footprint in the workplace, contributing to this ‘green office’ concept.

What are Parliament’s plans to engage with international agencies to promote climate related issues?

We have cooperated with international agencies such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and this year we are hosting the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum. I believe that climate change will come up as a major topic for discussion.

This past year, we have organized three seminars on topics related to SDG 13 (climate action). Due to COVID, these were arranged online with many experts participating and all sessions have proven to be successful. We would like to thank UNDP for prompting us to bring in smaller agencies into our work especially on on introducing the SDGs budgeting in consideration of the Annual Budget Appropriations Bill. We also organized sessions on the SDGs quite often, including SDG13 so when our staff become more knowledgeable, they can quote the SDGs in their discussions with the MPs during Parliamentary debates and in discussions with various sub committees. We will continue to push forward with the 17 SDG goals through various channels as each of the goals can be integrated into every issue and transform into policy.

Parliamentary staff reflect on their ideas and experiences implementing the Green Office policy.

Credits:

@UNDPThailand