Bangchak-Zoological Park Organization Green Partnership Studying Business Opportunities for a Low-Carbon Society and Sustainable Conservation

Somchai Tejavanija, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, Marketing Business Group, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Attaporn Srihayrun, Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on “The Cooperative of Study of Conservation Research, Development, and Business Expansion through Sustainable Green Innovation” to study, research, and develop various Green Initiatives for various services provided in ZPO areas, as well as conduct campaigns and activities for the environment and conservation, eco-tourism, community character, and the development of related businesses to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses for the duration of 5 years, with Chongkolnee Kaewsod, Deputy Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, and Gloyta Nathanlang, Executive Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, Branding, and Communication, Bangchak Corporation, as witnesses, and joined by Kittiphong Limsuwannarot, President and Chief Executive Officer, BBGI Public Company Limited, and Associate Professor Dr. Vorasun Buranakarn, Director, Zoological Park Organization of Thailand at the signing ceremony held at Bangchak Corporation Head Office at M Tower.

Somchai Tejavanija, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, Marketing Business Group, Bangchak Corporation, stated that “the agreement between Bangchak and the Zoological Park Organization, in addition to cooperating to study, research, and develop business expansion opportunities of green initiatives for various service provided in ZPO areas, and conducting various activities and campaigns, Bangchak will also join the Zoological Park Organization in economic recovery as a result COVID-19 by revitalizing tourism in zoos by debuting Inthanin mobile shops in Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Chon Buri Province, Chiang Mai Zoo, and Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo (Korat Zoo), and conduct business feasibility studies on ZPO properties.

This also includes various benefits for the more than 5 million Green Miles members across the country, who not only accumulate loyalty points for refueling, but also participate in the “You Tree” campaign on the Bangchak application, which presents members with the opportunity to participate in environmental conservation by using various Bangchak fuel products which features plant-based components, helping to reduce pollution from combustion, similar to planting a large tree to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Presently, members have accumulatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from using Bangchak fuels by about 1 million tons per month. Bangchak intends to convert this reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the rehabilitation of over 14,000 rai of green areas under the protection of the Zoological Park Organization, in the belief that healthy forests provide habitats for animals and areas for relaxation and recreation for visitors, as well as reduced the effects of global warming. Furthermore, this provides the opportunity for other areas of cooperation such as inviting members, students, and the refinery community to visit zoos in various provinces, educating the public on ecology, global warming, and planting forests for carbon sequestration etc.”

Attaporn Srihayrun, Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand under the Royal Patronage, stated that “urban climate change, as a result of global warming, has resulted in physiological changes such as rising sea levels from the expansion of seawater, and the release of greenhouse gases from permafrost that are affected forests, as well as the extinction of species and loss of biodiversity in forests etc.

The Zoological Park Organization has set a strategy to enhance its role in educating the public on animals, conservation, and zoo management internationally, by setting physical and environmental developmental objectives to become a model for zoo management and accommodate eco-tourism. The organization holds 2 assets, namely, the animals and the physical elements, which includes trees and water that help to reduce global warming.

The framework and direction in addressing environmental issues inspired the creation of Eco Designs for conservation and to reduce environmental impact through landscape architecture that integrates nature taking into consideration energy conservation, water reuse, and environmental considerations to create recreational areas within zoos and effective area utilization leading to sustainable development.”

Moreover, the event featured a special presentation by Associate Professor Dr. Vorasun Buranakarn, Director, Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, titled “Approaches and Green Initiatives for Ecological Conservation and Development in Zoos” for those present.

“The cooperation of these 2 organizations today, is an important step in creating a low-carbon society through environmental and touristic activities, which in the future will expand to planting forest for carbon sequestration, and which hold the possibility of providing carbon credits for both organizations.” Somchai concluded.