Carbon Neutrality Campus Expert Meeting

Date and Location: June 6, 2024, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University & Online via Zoom

Prepared by: Praewa Wongburi, Ph.D.
Assistant to the Dean for Policy Planning and International Relations
Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies
Mahidol University

Date of Report: June 7, 2024

The Expert Meeting on the "Carbon Neutrality Campus" (CNC) Project, held on June 6, 2024, at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, and online via Zoom, marked a pivotal event. The meeting convened a distinguished panel of experts to discuss strategies, share knowledge, and plan collaborative efforts towards establishing carbon neutrality on university campuses. This initiative aligns with Thailand’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. The discussions underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of practical strategies to embed sustainability into the educational fabric.

The Expert Meeting on the Carbon Neutrality Campus (CNC) Project, organized by the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Mahidol University, was held on June 6, 2024. The meeting aimed to bring together experts from various institutions to discuss strategies, share knowledge, and plan collaborative efforts for the CNC initiative.

Assoc. Prof. Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, Vice President for International Relations and Corporate Communication at Mahidol University, delivered the opening remarks. She conveyed a message from the university's president, emphasizing the importance of the CNC project and the role of higher education institutions in fostering regional and international collaboration to achieve sustainability goals.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kitikorn Charmondusit, Dean of the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, welcomed the participants and outlined the primary objectives of the CNC project. He highlighted the need for a robust framework for collaboration, including knowledge exchange, seminars forum, and training programs.

Experts from various institutions introduced themselves and shared their areas of expertise. Dr. Praewa Wongburi provided an overview of the CNC project, highlighting the collaborative efforts and the goals of the initiative. The participating organizations included: 

• Mahidol University
• UNESCAP
• World Green Organisation
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Chulalongkorn University
• King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)
• Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)

1. Mahidol University Representatives:

• Prof. Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, Vice President for International Relations and Corporate Communication
• Prof. Kitikorn Charmondusit, Dean, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies
• Prof. Dr. Viriya Taecharungroj, Business Administration Division, Mahidol University International College (MUIC)
• Prof. Dr. Kraichat Tantrakarnapa, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine
• Associate Professor Dr. Somboon Sirisunhirun, Deputy Dean for Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
• Prof. Dr. Patreeya Kitchareon, Deputy Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

2. UN-ESCAP Representatives:

• Hitomi Rankine, Chief, Environment and Development Policy Section, UNESCAP

3. World Green Organisation Representative:

• William Yu, Chief Executive Officer, World Green Organisation, Task Force Member, United Nations The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Business Advisory Council (EBAC)

4. Shanghai Jiao Tong University Representative:

• Associate Professor Xu Tian

5. Chulalongkorn University Representative:

• Dr. Chanathip Pharino: Department of Environment Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University

6. King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok Representatives:

• Prof. Dr. Krissachai Sreeboonma, Vice President for University Development for Sustainability
• Prof. Dr. Panida Prarat, Faculty of Science Energy and Environment

7. NXPO Representatives:

• Saravanee Singtong, Division Director, Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)
• Chanida Sansaard
• Natthamon Suwannaprom

The Carbon Neutrality Campus (CNC) project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and follows a comprehensive strategy to embed sustainability within university operations and curriculum. The key SDGs related to the CNC project include:

SDG 4: Quality Education

Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

1. Knowledge Sharing Platform

• Develop a centralized platform to share research, best practices, and innovations related to carbon neutrality.
• Engage stakeholders, including students, policymakers, and the business community, to disseminate knowledge and inspire action.

2. Seminar, Conference, and Dialogue Forums

• Organize events focusing on key themes such as energy, transportation, waste management, and education to foster discussions and share insights.
• Promote collaborations with businesses, financial institutions, and innovation platforms to advance carbon neutrality efforts.

3. Training Programs

• Develop training modules for university staff and school teachers to enhance skills in carbon management, project development, and climate finance.
• Conduct workshops, webinars, and conferences to build capacity and promote sustainable practices.

Session 1: Knowledge Sharing

Discussion

• Experts emphasized the importance of sharing best practices, research, and innovations to inspire action towards carbon neutrality.
• Suggestions included integrating academic research with practical applications, showcasing successful case studies, and creating a knowledge-sharing hub.
• Participants stressed the need to involve various stakeholders, including students, policymakers, and business communities, in the knowledge-sharing process.

Key Takeaways

• Research findings
• Basic carbon footprint methodologies
• Best practices from universities in Thailand

Session 2: Seminar, Conference, and Dialogue Forums

Discussion

• The discussion focused on key themes and areas for in-depth seminars, such as energy, transportation, waste management, infrastructure, and education.
• Experts recommended organizing seminars that cover ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) topics, green technology solutions, and carbon neutrality standards.
• The importance of partnerships and collaborations with businesses, financial institutions, and innovation platforms was highlighted.

Key Takeaways

• Identifying the target audience
• Engaging student stakeholders
• Low-carbon education initiatives
• Showcasing best practices to inspire action

Session 3: Training Modules

Discussion

• The development of two training modules was proposed: one for university staff and another for school teachers.
• Experts suggested starting with stakeholder consultations to identify needs and gaps in knowledge.
• Key skills to be included in the training modules were identified as carbon accounting, project development, scenario planning, and understanding carbon pricing and climate finance.

Key Takeaways

• Emphasis on practical skills related to sustainability
• Integration of carbon management and reduction techniques
• Development of innovative problem-solving abilities

Session 4: Strengthening Collaboration and Partnerships

Discussion

• Strategies for building and strengthening partnerships were discussed, including involving local businesses, financial institutions, and internal university networks.
• The need for mission-oriented partnerships and the importance of early engagement with partners were emphasized.

Key Takeaways

• Establishing regular communication channels
• Organizing joint workshops and training sessions
• Building a robust network for ongoing support and collaboration

The meeting concluded with a summary of the key points discussed and a commitment to continue the collaborative efforts. The next steps include summarizing the expert inputs, finalizing the strategic plan, and organizing follow-up meetings to ensure the successful implementation of the CNC project.

The meeting concluded with a thank you to all the experts for their valuable contributions and a commitment to ongoing collaboration to achieve the goals of the CNC project.