Accra:The government is organizing a "Green Meeting" for the upcoming IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, using more than 320 electric vehicles to cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 95.8 tons.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, announced the initiative as part of preparations for the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings. Scheduled from October 12-18, these meetings will be held under the theme of "Green Meetings." The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand and other agencies, has laid out measures to reduce environmental impact, including the implementation of electric vehicles, managing food waste, and minimizing plastic and paper use.
The use of over 320 electric vehicles is aimed at transporting conference attendees and is expected to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by more than 95.8 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This figure is based on estimates from the use of electric vehicles and does not represent the actual measurements post-conference or the total greenhouse gas reduction achieved.
Additionally, the government has implemented strategies to manage food waste from meetings by converting it into organic fertilizer, thereby reducing waste and utilizing resources efficiently. The reduction of single-use plastics in catering and the adoption of digital systems to diminish paper consumption are also part of the plan.
Ms. Lalida highlighted that these measures reflect the government's commitment to sustainable development principles, aiming to reduce environmental impact through practical operations, from transportation to food and digital technology management.
The government intends for this IMF-World Bank meeting to set a precedent for environmentally conscious international conferences, with an emphasis on resource conservation, waste reduction, and greenhouse gas emission reduction, which can be applied to future large-scale events in Thailand.