Evaluation of the effectiveness and appropriateness of Bangkok action plans on global warming mitigations

Abstract

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) action plans consist of 10 action plans aimed to reduce at least 15% of the total greenhouse gases emissions anticipated in the year 2012 under business as usual projection. In this study, the Multi Criteria Attribute (MCA) analysis was carried out to determine the most appropriate greenhouse gas mitigation measures for implementation in Bangkok, Thailand. Five criteria were used in this analysis included 1) mitigation potential, 2) total costs, 3) feasibility, 4) owner of benefits and 5) environmental benefits. Although, the action plan which focused on improving electricity consumption of the building and promoting electricity conservation campaign for Bangkok resident was expected to the highest reduction of greenhouse gases (2.7 million tons of CO2 reduction). However, effort on expanding of the park area was evaluated as the most appropriate initiative when consider both of its effectiveness in reducing emissions, and its implementation cost. Carbon removal rate of trees in Bangkok's park was also evaluated through an intensive study at selected parks using data collected over the period of 10 years (2005-2015). It was found that the park in Bangkok could store carbon of about 1.86 tC/y (6.82 tCO2/y) or 0.58 tC/ha/y. These predicted results were coincided with actual outcomes evaluated from the implementation of each policy in the metropolitan area. Methodology of this study can be applied for further use in analysis and selection of appropriate measures for policy maker in other cities as well as in the national level.