Safeguard E

Background

Address

Respect

Operations are in line with the conservation of natural forests and biodiversity. and to increase other social and environmental benefits.

5.1

REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation programs are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biodiversity.

5.2

REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation programs do not lead to encroachment and degradation in the natural forest areas

5.3

REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation programs contribute to increase ecological services and other social and environmental benefits

Operations are in line with the conservation of natural forests and biodiversity. and to increase other social and environmental benefits.

Natural forest areas must not be destroyed or degraded by REDD+ or other forest-based climate mitigation implementation. Actions must help to foster positive incentives for preserving natural forests, conservation of biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services and social and environmental benefits, and lead to the balancing between conservation and development or utilization of resources with a balance, equitable and sustainable manners.

Principle

REDD+ and other forest-based climate mitigation programs contribute to conservation of natural forests and biodiversity, and enhance social and environmental benefits.

- National Strategy B.E. 2561-2580 (2018-2037), under the National Strategy on Eco-friendly Development and Growth emphasizes eco-friendly development and growth where people can have higher quality of life with less negative impacts on the nature and environment. The strategy proposes key strategic guidelines in relation to conservation and restoration of existing forest, increasing of forest area, in-situ and ex-situ biodiversity conservation, coastal and marine resources management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, security on water, energy and agriculture, sustainable city, etc. Measures and targets are determined in the subsequent master plans and reform plans, and related sector plans.

- The 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan B.E.2566-2570 (2023-2027), with the key milestone on circular economy and low carbon society sets the goals for efficient use of resources and adding values through circular economy; conserve, restore and sustainable use of natural resources; ensure the development of industry and service sectors will follow the principles of circular economy and low carbon society therefore less impacts to the natural resource and environment. The milestone on reducing risks and impacts from natural disaster and climate change has a strategy on conserving and restoring of natural resources and ecosystem to prevent and reduce impact from disaster and climate change.

- National Forest Policy B.E.2562 (2019) states the priority to increase forest area on both protected forest areas, economic forests and community forests. With provisions on forest management, enhancing benefits from forest products, services, and forest industry; and the provisions on administration of forestry organizations.

- Other national plans concerning conserving of biodiversity, and ensuring ecosystem services include Master Plan for Integrated Biodiversity Management B.E.2558-2564 (2015-2021, extended to 2022), Master Plan on Water Resource Management B.E. 2561-2580 (2018-2037), Master Plan on Resolving Forest Resource Destruction, Encroachment of State Land, and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources B.E.2557 (2014), National Policy and Plan for Promotion and Protection of Environmental Quality B.E.2560-2579 (2017-2036), National Policy and Plan for Management of Land and Soil Resource B.E.2566-2580 (2023-2037), National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan B.E.2564-2570 (2021-2027), Climate Change Master Plan B.E.2558-2593 (2015-2050).

- The national targets related to forest, biodiversity, and ecosystem services are summarized as the following;

(1) Forest:

- National Master Plan on Sustainable Growth (2018-2037) set goal to increase forest and green area within the country up to 55% comprised of natural forest 35%, economic forest for utilization 15%, urban and suburban forest or forest for recreation and learning 5%. The 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2023-2027) determines by 2027 the country will increase natural forest up to 33%, economic forest for 12% of the country’s area.

- The National Forest Policy B.E.2562 (2019) sets Thailand to have forest cover at least 40% comprised of protected forest 25%, economic and community forest 15%.

- The Long-term Low GHG Emission Development Strategy, which was in effective in 2022, estimated the forest sector will achieve national carbon removal up to 120 MtCO2eq by 2037 which will contribute to the country’s targets to reach carbon neutral in 2050, and net zero GHG emission in 2065.

(2) Biodiversity: in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity, protection of endangered species, and equitable benefit sharing from utilization of biodiversity resources.

(3) Ecosystem services: on water the country aims to increase national water security, productivity and efficiency of water utilization, as well as conservation and restoration of all natural water sources; on land and soil resource aims to preserve 50% of the country area as state forest land and maximize the use of land through better distribution of land to improve quality of life of the people.

- Current forestry laws include National Park Act B.E.2562 (2019) and Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E.2562 (2019) have been amended to strengthen the protection of protected forest areas, wildlife, and high biodiversity habitats by having higher penalties from illegal actions such as forest encroachment, wildlife hunting, etc., while also provide the guidelines and incentives for better participation by all sectors and resolving forest land tenure issues. Several environmental laws are also enforcing to enhance the protection and security of ecosystem services, as well as to prevent negative impacts from development projects/programs to the natural resource and environment; such laws include the Water Resource Act B.E.2561 (2018), Ground Water Resource Act B.E.2520 (1977) No.2 B.E.2535 (1992) No.3 B.E.2546 (2003), Enhancement and Conservation of the National Environmental Quality Act B.E.2535 (1992) and No.2 B.E.2561 (2018) which provide a foundation for environmental impact assessment and establishing environmental protection area, the Town Planning Act B.E.2562 (2019) will direct land use classification in each level of the country to achieve land potentials and balancing land uses for economic, social, natural resources and environmental management.

- Furthermore, there are important laws under the drafting process and considering of the public and relevant agencies including Draft Biodiversity Act, and Draft Climate Change Act; together with policy frameworks being developed to further support effective integration of forest and environmental management with social and economic development, these include a policy on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), a policy on Bio-Circular-Green Economy.

- The system for monitoring of forest cover in Thailand has been gradually improved. From 2000 onwards, the Royal Forest Department developed a system that has been using for assessing national forest cover until recent year. Official records during the past ten years on national forest cover found that Thailand’s forest cover was relatively stable, as shown in the table below.

    Year
    Forest cover (ha)
    Percent (%)
  


    2013
    16,339,126.33
    31.57
  

    2014
    16,365,664.10
    31.62
  

    2015
    16,358,557.10
    31.60
  

    2016
    16,347,968.81
    31.58
  

    2017
    16,345,016.08
    31.58
  

    2018
    16,398,128.35
    31.68
  

    2019
    16,397,451.63
    31.68
  

    2020
    16,376,557.56
    31.64
  

    2021
    16,353,989.50
    31.59
  

    2022
    16,341,755.99
    31.57
  

Year	Forest cover (ha)	Percent (%)
2013	16,339,126.33	31.57
2014	16,365,664.10	31.62
2015	16,358,557.10	31.60
2016	16,347,968.81	31.58
2017	16,345,016.08	31.58
2018	16,398,128.35	31.68
2019	16,397,451.63	31.68
2020	16,376,557.56	31.64
2021	16,353,989.50	31.59
2022	16,341,755.99	31.57

Source: Assessment of forest area in Thailand (RFD 2022)

- Current biodiversity information: In 2021-2022, new species were discovered in Thailand, including 29 plant species, 3 vertebrates ad 10 invertebrates, most of which were found in caves and limestone mountain areas where they are endemic and unique habitats for living organisms. In addition, two types of micro-organisms were found. The assessment of the threatened status of vertebrates in 2020 increased from 2017 (State of Environment, ONEP 2022).

- Water resources: The 10-year average rainfall of Thailand tends to decrease, but in 2021, the average rainfall is higher than 2020 and higher than normal. The amount of runoff in 2020/2021 is 213,447 million cubic meters which increased by 40.23 percent, while the potential of groundwater sources that can be used safely amounted to 45,386 million cubic meters/year. The quality of groundwater sources is generally within the standard (State of Environment, ONEP 2022).

- Marine and coastal resources were found to be more abundant. Considering the catch per unit of fishing effort (CPUE) in 2021 increased by 1.47 percent from 2020. While the mangrove area in 2020 increased by 12.93 percent from 2018. Most of the seagrass fields in 2021 are moderately fertile and tend to be more fertile, like most coral reefs which are in good condition and the condition tend to be better. However, the problem of coastal erosion is more serious. Rare sea creatures beached less and found more sea turtles laying eggs (State of Environment, ONEP 2022).

- Further information on how safeguard E is respected will be compiled and monitored using the following indicators.

5.1.3 Area (rai) of natural forests that are protected, sustainably managed and/or restored through projects/programs, especially natural forest areas important for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services (e.g., protected forest areas, water catchment areas, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), etc.).

5.2.2 The loss of natural forest areas and degraded natural forests at national and regional levels are reduced, comparing before and after the implementation of projects/programs.

5.3.3 Area (rai) of agroforestry, forest plantations, community forest, urban and sub-urban green area/forest supported and promoted by projects/programs that contribute to enhancing ecological services and local livelihoods.

5.3.4 Description of ecological services restored / maintained / improved and extent to which this is achieved (e.g. trends in water and food security, disaster risk reduction, wildlife conservation, community livelihoods and sustainable use of products, etc.) in the area where projects/programs are operated.

5.3.5 Economic and social conditions of the communities in implementing areas are improved, comparing before and after implementation of projects/programs (in particular the conditions of ethnic groups, vulnerable groups e.g. women, elders, and youths).

5.1.1 National policies, laws and regulations support the conservation of natural forests. Other ecosystems and biological diversity

5.1.2 Important natural forest areas with high value for biodiversity and ecosystem services (e.g. protected forest areas water storage area Important Biodiversity Areas (KBA) that may be affected by the project/plan will be specified Prioritize and prepare a map before proceeding

5.1.3 Area (rai) of natural forest protected and/or restored by the project/plan. Especially natural forest areas that are important for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services (e.g. protected forest areas water storage area Important Biodiversity Areas (KBA), etc.)

5.1.4 Number of grievances and resolved cases related to the implementation of projects/projects which caused deforestation and degradation of natural forests.

5.2.1 Number of project plans/plans that specify measures to reduce the risk of encroachment and degradation of natural forests. and promote conservation of natural forests (e.g. participatory land use planning/zoning). Forest survey and monitoring development of cooperation agreements Supporting sustainable agriculture and maintain the livelihood of local people)

5.2.2 Loss of natural forest area at the national and regional levels has decreased when comparing before and after the implementation of the project/plan.

5.2.3 The area of degraded natural forests at the national and regional levels decreased comparing before and after the implementation of the project/plan. (invasion area forest burning area, etc.)

5.3.1 Existing national policies, laws, regulations and procedures prevent and mitigate the impacts of any project. that are carried out in forest areas in terms of ecosystem services and enhance the social and environmental benefits of forests (e.g. EIA/EHIA, SEA, etc.).

5.3.2 Number of project plans/plans that specify measures to prevent and mitigate impacts from ecosystem service operations. and existing social and environmental values

5.3.3 Area (rai) of natural forest or planted forest. This includes urban and suburban green spaces (e.g. agroforestry, community forests, urban forests/parks) that contribute to enhancing local ecological and livelihood services supported and promoted by the project/programme.

5.3.4 Description of ecological services being restored/maintained/improved (e.g. water and food security Disaster risk reduction Adding a species community life and sustainable product use, etc.) in areas where projects/programs are being implemented

5.3.5 The economic and social conditions of communities in the operating areas have been improved. By comparing before and after implementing the project/project. (Especially the condition of ethnic groups Vulnerable groups such as women, seniors and youth)