Efforts to promote BCG at the policy level have been underway since last October to establish two BCG committees . These are the BCG Policy Board of Directors , chaired by the Prime Minister , and the BCG Model Implementation Committee , chaired by the Minister of Higher Education , Science , Research and Innovation , and tasked with designing action plans to implement the BCG model . BCG was subsequently adopted as part of Thailand ’ s national agenda since January this year .

Thailand ’ s four strategic areas for the BCG model are based on her economic foundation and

Thailand recognises the benefits of the BCG model on the global economy . It will encourage international partners to exchange technological and scientific resources to activate the BCG model for post- Covid-19 recovery . ”

strengths , namely :

• food and agriculture ;

• medical and wellness ;

• energy , material , and biochemicals ; and

• tourism and creative economy .

Focusing on the said areas , Thailand hopes to achieve comprehensive security in critical food , health , energy , employment and sustainable natural resources and environment .

Don Pramudwinai , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand opined that BCG was a comprehensive approach towards sustainable development that did not leave our environment behind . The paradigm aims to maintain a balance between man and nature to avoid any disruption that may befall in the form of natural disasters or pandemics like Covid-19 .

By promoting balanced development that does not exceed environmental capacity , the BCG model can reduce risks of infectious diseases from humans , plants and animals , and climate change . It hopes to reduce the consumption of natural resources by two-thirds and to reduce pollution and environmental impact from development .

Thailand has expressed its commitment to these causes on numerous occasions . For example , during Thailand ’ s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019 , ASEAN Leaders adopted the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris to promote the sustainable use of the marine environment . This aligns with Thailand ’ s policy to reduce and recycle more plastic .

In addition , Thailand is committed to reducing food waste from 30 per cent down to 10 per cent by 2030 . Thailand also intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 – 25 per cent by 2030 to become a low carbon society .

Thailand recognises the benefits of the BCG model on the global economy . It will encourage international partners to exchange technological and scientific resources to activate the BCG model for post-Covid-19 recovery .

Thailand advocates joint efforts to ensure that the world ’ s natural assets continue to yield resources and environmental services for future generations . This will undoubtedly be included in the agendas when Thailand chairs BIMSTEC in 2021 - 2022 and assumes the role of APEC Host Economy next year . — @ green

THE EUROPEAN Commission ( EU ) adopted the EU Action Plan : “ Towards Zero Pollution for Air , Water and Soil ” – a key deliverable of the European Green Deal and the main topic of this year ’ s EU Green Week . It sets out an integrated vision for 2050 : a world where pollution is reduced to levels that are no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems , as well as the steps to get there .

The plan ties together all relevant EU policies to tackle and prevent pollution , emphasising how to use digital solutions to tackle pollution . Reviews of applicable EU legislation are foreseen to identify remaining gaps in EU legislation and where better implementation is necessary to meet these legal obligations .

Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans said : “ The Green Deal aims to build a healthy planet for all . To

The Green Deal aims to build a healthy planet for all . To provide a toxic-free environment for people and the planet , we have to act now . This plan will guide our work to get there .”

provide a toxic-free environment for people and the planet , we have to act now . This plan will guide our work to get there . New green technologies already here can help reduce pollution and offer new business opportunities . Europe ’ s efforts to build back a cleaner , fairer and more sustainable economy must likewise contribute to achieving the zero pollution ambition .”

To steer the EU towards the 2050 goal of a healthy planet for healthy people , the Action Plan sets key 2030 targets to reduce pollution at source compared to the current situation .

Jointly with the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability adopted last year , the action plan translates the EU ’ s zero pollution ambition for a toxicfree

environment into action . It goes hand in hand with the EU ’ s goals for climate neutrality , health , biodiversity and resource efficiency . It builds on initiatives in energy , industry , mobility , food , circular economy , and agriculture .

This year ’ s EU Green Week , the biggest annual event on environment policy , on 1 - 4 June will allow citizens across the EU to discuss zero pollution from its many angles at the leading Brussels conference , online and in more than 600 partner events .

In addition , the Commission has announced some overarching targets for reducing nutrient losses and pesticides in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies to help achieve our biodiversity goals . — @ green