Thai carbon

Published 22nd January 2010

Australia eyes Thai carbon projects Thailand has the potential to draw investments from Australia in the clean energy and environment sector under the Rudd government's carbon cluster initiative targeting Southeast Asian nations and India.

‘‘Australian companies already see Thailand as a good investment location,’’ says trade commissioner Garth Taylor. NIBHON KANANURAK A trade mission of 25 Australian companies interested in a supply chain of carbon projects will visit Asean in early March in the first of its clean development mechanism (CDM) missions, said Garth Taylor, Australia's trade commissioner to Asean.

The mission is a first step in getting Australian projects established in Thailand where abundant wind, water and biomass resources are available, he said during a trip to Bangkok.

"Australian companies already see Thailand as a good investment location, hoping to access other markets from a Thailand base," said Mr Taylor, who is based in Kuala Lumpur.

Australia-based Future Fuels has invested in a manufacturing facility to further develop its hydrogen generation technology in Thailand. Aqua Guardian recently signed an agreement with a Thai partner to manufacture and stock its water efficiency products.

The two-day mission in Kuala Lumpur aims to draw 100 participating Asean companies. The group will later head to India.

The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Association and PTT Plc will join the

Published 22nd January 2010

event.

CDM is a mechanism that allows industrialized nations to invest in and buy credits from carbon reduction projects in developing countries to meet their emission reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol by 2012.

Mr Taylor said the Australian government wants 10 deals with Asean partners concluded in 18 months.

As the first Australian trade commissioner with a clean energy and environment portfolio in Asean, Mr Taylor's responsibility is part of the Rudd government's A$4.5billion initiative to increase Australia's profile in renewable and lower-emission energies partly through engagements with international communities.

As the newest Annex 1 country signing the Kyoto Protocol, Australia has set a target of lowering its greenhouse gas emissions by between 5% and 25% from 2000 levels by 2020. The proposed domestic emission trading scheme is expected to reach Australia's parliament in two weeks.

Australia also developed the world's first carbon capture and storage initiative, which is another opportunity for Thai companies.

The flagship program aims to have 20 such projects established by 2020, added Mr Taylor. on clean energy development and carbon cuts. We are aiming to see 20% of our