For decades, we have been too exploitative to the environment by using natural resources for our needs faster than they could be replaced. And if we continue doing this, there will be nothing left for later generations.

This is why for the past few years, people have become more aware of the green economy which can be described as an economy that focuses on reducing environmental waste from any industrial process, also aims for sustainable development without causing more damage to the environment. And lately, many organizations and governments have acknowledged that not only the green economy has to be green and efficient, but it must also be socially inclusive as well.

As one of the major political and economic unions, the EU has the plan to reduce environmental impacts of production and consumption at every stage by encouraging many industries to improve the designs of products and reassure encourage manufacturing processes to use materials less wastefully. Also, the EU has adopted a new circular economy plan – part of the European Green Deal which promotes sustainable growth on the economy to ensure that the natural resources will be used in the EU as sustainable as possible. This means that many products should use less natural resources and can be recycled for further use if needed.

In Thailand, The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has stated that the green economy is the development that will lead to sustainable economic growth. Also, the National Village and Urban Community Fund Office has pointed out that one of the principles of the green economy is “Use-Value” which needs to apply in aspect of producing products as well.

Furthermore, the National Science and Technology Development Agency has created various projects that support the green economy both directly and indirectly, such as, developing electric cells that can be used longer, creating a measuring process to track and detect carbon footprint, etc. But not only Thai government departments take part on the green economy. Because Siam Cement Group has also applied green economy principles to its industries and products as many SCG plants and installations have adopted the green economy principles to reduce environmental impact from the process of producing products.

Thus we could conclude that the EU strategy for green economy and many actions/projects in Thailand is quite common. Both the Thai government department and EU commissions have been focused on reducing impacts on the environment and using less natural resources as possible to create products for sustainable development.