Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets

[snoop1130]

 

Switzerland‘s purchase of carbon offsets from Thailand under the Paris Agreement‘s Article 6.2 mechanism has been criticised as the legitimacy of the emission reductions claimed comes under fire.

 

Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a pivotal climate action milestone, an umbrella group for Swiss charities is casting doubt.

 

The Swiss government intends to apply these credits towards its emissions reduction goals, but concerns linger regarding the necessity of the offsets. Critics argue that the shift to electric buses in Bangkok would have occurred independently, raising questions about the integrity of Switzerland’s emissions reduction strategy.

 

The controversy highlights the lack of centralised oversight for credits traded under the system, with an EU attempt to introduce tighter controls at COP28 failing. Switzerland, a proponent of bilateral credit trading under Article 6, remains actively engaged in such transactions.

 

The December deal forms part of a broader agreement between Switzerland and Thailand inked in early last year. While the credits are destined for government plans, the project is executed by private operators, with the South Pole, a Swiss company, coordinating the initiative.

 

Energy Absolute, a Thai renewable energy company, spearheads the project, converting petrol-fueled buses to electric vehicles. The funding comes from the Klik Foundation, representing Swiss fossil fuel importers. However, critics argue that economic justifications overlook the long-term benefits of direct investment from the Energy Absolute group.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of Climate Home News

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-10

 

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[matchar]

How stupid can Western governments get? Forcing Western companies to buy imaginary carbon credits from foreign companies...

 

Energy Absolute must be laughing all the way to the bank.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a pivotal climate action milestone, an umbrella group for Swiss charities is casting doubt.

Always a loop-hole to be exploited.

[The Old Bull]

The carbon offset idea is nuts.Either it's legal to pollute or it's not and you shouldn't be able to buy your way out.. I never raped anyone so maybe I could sell rape credits ,when the buyer has enough he could go do the deed with impunity.

[Peabody]

17 different countries each buy 50% of Thailand's available carbon credits!  :)

 

[AsiaCheese]

It's a green fact that electric vehicles are 100% CO² emission free, because after all, electricity comes from a power socket - right? They're kidding themselves and those who foot the bill for carbon credits, and are jumping with joy all the way to the bank.

 

Real world question: what's the carbon footprint for an electric bus - production (batteries) and daily running on electricity, sourced from burning stuff?

[Homburg]

22 hours ago, matchar said:

How stupid can Western governments get?

There is no limit.  Their stupidity is truly infinite.

[connda]

On 1/10/2024 at 5:34 PM, snoop1130 said:

Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a pivotal climate action milestone, an umbrella group for Swiss charities is casting doubt.

Asinine.

[natway09]

Certainly hope discounted by 80% which represents the fossil fuels being used to generate the energy