The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) today launched a new £1 million initiative to strengthen transport policies and workforce development for a just transition to electric mobility in Bangkok.
The project is funded through the Thailand UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) Country Fund and will complement the efforts of Thailand to accelerate the move to electric mobility by ensuring the transition of the transport labour force is just and equitable. The partnership represents a landmark collaboration focusing on the labour market implications as Thailand builds a complete electric mobility ecosystem as a key element of the country's approach to becoming a low-carbon economy.
"This strategic partnership between Thailand, the UK and ESCAP comes at a critical time as Thailand is positioning itself as a hub for electric mobility in South-East Asia," said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. Turning to electric mobility "represents a far-reaching shift for the country's economy, spanning the manufacturing sector, its supply chain as well as the end user market. It is a cornerstone of the country's climate action programme which will contribute to larger societal benefits such as improvements in air quality."
Additionally, Alisjahbana said that this step "addresses a critical aspect of Thailand's transition to electric mobility, namely the labour market implications, ensuring that the labour force in the automotive and related sectors benefits from a just, equitable transition. This is also an opportunity to increase female participation in the traditionally male-dominated transport sector."
The turn to electric mobility is a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advancing climate action and promoting socio-economic development, but it requires comprehensive policy adaptation and targeted workforce reskilling. The project will support the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in implementing inclusive transport policies and develop a skilled workforce for a sustainable electric mobility future. It is designed to prevent workforce displacement and ensure that all citizens benefit from the economic and environmental gains of this shift. By adhering to the principles of a Just Transition, the initiative addresses environmental goals alongside economic and social equity, ensuring a fair and inclusive transition.
H.E. Mark Gooding, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Thailand said: "This programme will mark a significant milestone in the UK and Thailand's shared commitment to addressing climate change and fostering sustainable development. By working together, we can drive innovative solutions that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy while strengthening our bilateral partnership. This initiative underscores our dedication to supporting Thailand's climate ambitions and creating a greener, more resilient future for all."
This partnership aligns ESCAP's key role in promoting climate action under Sustainable Development Goal 13 with the UK's COP26 legacy of mobilizing climate action. It also represents a key milestone in ESCAP's technical assistance to Thailand in support of the Government's efforts to deliver on its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
ESCAP is promoting acceleration of the transition to electric mobility in public transport across the Asia-Pacific region, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector and supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement. To achieve this ESCAP launched the Asia-Pacific Initiative on Electric Mobility in 2022, bolstering regional cooperation and providing opportunities for peer learning and sharing of experiences among private and public sector stakeholders working in electric mobility.
About the Thailand UK PACT Country Fund
This two-year project is supported by the Thailand UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) Country Fund. UK PACT is a programme under the UK's International Climate Finance (ICF) portfolio. The programme is jointly funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). UK PACT's mission is to support the achievement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the long-term goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit climate change, emphasizing a demand-driven development approach with inputs from multiple stakeholders. ESCAP is partnering with the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the project delivery.
