Saraburi: The cement industry is joining forces to drive the "Saraburi Sandbox" initiative, transforming the industrial city into a low-carbon, sustainable economy. The Thai Cement Industry Association (TCMA) is collaborating with Saraburi province, government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to develop Thailand's first low-carbon city under the concept of "Saraburi Sandbox: Edible Products." This initiative opens a carbon market at the provincial level, promoting the idea that 'carbon reduction is not a burden, but an economic opportunity,' while supporting Thailand's goal of achieving Net Zero carbon by 2050.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Chana Phoomi, President of the Thai Cement Industry Association, revealed that 'Saraburi Sandbox' is Thailand's first low-carbon city pilot project. Initiated through collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society under the Public-Private-People Partnership concept since 2023, it has yielded tangible results in areas such as clean energy transition, promotion of green industries, waste management for value creation, low-carbon agriculture, and green space expansion in Saraburi province. The project has received both domestic and international recognition for its continuous and concrete implementation. This year, 'Saraburi Sandbox' takes on a new role as a 'carbon-sustainable market,' enabling greenhouse gas emission reductions to be converted into carbon credits, generating income for the community, industry, and the country.
Dr. Chana stated that the Saraburi Sandbox project translates the Net Zero policy from the national level into practical local implementation. It uses greenhouse gas emission reduction as a mechanism for economic and social development. The "Net Zero" concept is "tangible," creating real value in the form of income, employment, and local economic upgrading through a carbon market mechanism. This development approach yields comprehensive benefits across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It serves as a crucial model for scaling up to the national level, supporting Thailand's sustainable competitiveness in the global economy.
Under this concept, Saraburi Sandbox has driven projects in multiple dimensions, including clean energy transition, green industry development, waste management, low-carbon agriculture promotion, and increasing green spaces. These efforts have resulted in regional benefits, including carbon reduction, community economic development, job creation, improved environmental quality, and the development of industries that harmonize with agriculture, communities, and natural resources.
Source: Thai News Agency