CMU has been certified as a ‘Climate Action Leading Organization’ by the Thailand Carbon Neutral Network, managed by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO). The Energy Research and Development Institute of Nakornping (ERDI) is the university’s main driving force in achieving carbon neutrality by 2032, making it a model institution in solving global warming sustainably.
A Climate Action Leading Organization is an organization which demonstrates leadership in managing and taking responsibility for its greenhouse gas emissions through a declaration of intention to reduce emissions and advance toward carbon neutrality at the organizational level with an established target year and implementation plan that is consistent with scientific facts and the Paris Agreement’s goals. It should also pass a carbon footprint certification and other related standards by TGO or equivalents.
As the ever-increasing amount of emissions has resulted in extreme climate change in every part of the world, carbon neutrality or ‘net zero’ has become more important to the world than ever. To help address the issue, CMU has been advancing proactive strategies regarding energy and the environment with ERDI as the main workforce.
Carbon neutrality is one of the university’s 13 stated agendas. It aims to create emission reduction models, promote alternative energy use and conserve the energy and environment on campus in order to become a model organization in reducing emissions, addressing climate change, as well as reducing costs in the entire energy management system.
Successful implementation of the proactive strategy on environmental and energy innovation sees the rise of projects, such as the Integrated Biomass Management Centre that employs the zero waste principle, turning waste into alternative energy to be used on campus and the Solar Rooftop Project that turns solar energy into electricity powering the solar water heaters in dormitories. These efforts have cut down the university’s energy costs by at least 30 percent and Smart Grid is used to run the energy management system. In addition, the university provides an electric shuttle service to reduce personal vehicle use, as well as promotes bicycling as a means of transportation. It also shares relevant insights with other organizations in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.