Chulalongkorn University’s Active Role in Shaping National and Regional SDG Policy Development

As the world faces escalating environmental and climate challenges, Chulalongkorn University has taken on a proactive role in shaping national and regional policy development for sustainability.

Beyond its traditional academic and research functions, Chulalongkorn contributes directly to identifying policy challenges, co-developing strategies, simulating future scenarios, monitoring interventions, and supporting adaptive management in partnership with government agencies and regional non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Throughout 2024–2025, the university has actively collaborated in several key initiatives that exemplify its direct involvement in SDG-related policy formulation and implementation, Example:

Chula Zero Waste: A Circular Economy Model Informing Global and National Policies

On 26 August 2024, Chulalongkorn University welcomed a delegation from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to observe its Chula Zero Waste project — a pioneering model for circular economy and waste management on campus.

Through this initiative, the university has translated Circular Economy concepts into practical and policy-level actions, including:

• A Single-use Plastic Ban policy,
• The installation of water refill and recycling points across campus, and
• A real-time waste data monitoring system to track performance and inform decisions.

GIZ recognized Chula Zero Waste as a best-practice model for resource management in higher education, adaptable to national Circular Economy Policy development.

This collaboration demonstrates Chulalongkorn University’s role in providing policy input and evidence-based models, generating data-driven insights that inform both national and international sustainability frameworks.

[ https://www.thai-german-cooperation.info/th/giz-thailand-visits-chula-zero-waste-a-model-of-best-practices-in-the-circular-economy/ ]

Unlocking the Clean Energy Policy Trap: Chula’s Research Input for National Energy Planning

On 22 August 2024, Dr. Siripa Julakarn from the Chulalongkorn University Energy Research Institute (ERI) presented findings from the study “Unlocking Rooftop Solar for Thailand’s Sustainable Clean Energy Future” at a national forum titled “Overcoming the Clean Energy Policy Trap: Creating Opportunities for Thailand.”

The forum was part of the Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) project, jointly organized by GIZ, ERI, Thai PBS Podcast, The Active, and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).

ERI’s study provided technical analysis and policy recommendations to support Thailand’s transition to renewable energy and decentralization of power generation.

The key recommendations presented to the government were:

1. Establish clear national goals and supportive frameworks for renewable energy expansion, while encouraging regulated new business models.
2. Develop a one-stop service to streamline licensing and reduce investment barriers for rooftop solar projects.
3. Upgrade the national grid to accommodate consumers becoming small-scale electricity producers (prosumers).

These recommendations aim to guide the government’s drafting of the Power Development Plan (PDP 2024) — particularly regarding the integration of Independent Power Supply (IPS) systems.

This collaboration underscores Chulalongkorn’s direct contribution to clean energy policy development, providing evidence-based input and technical analysis to strengthen national energy transition strategies in alignment with SDG 7 and SDG 17. [ https://greennews.agency/?p=38720 ]

Chulalongkorn University and Japan’s IGES Partner for Regional Environmental Policy Development

On 20 August 2025, Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies (IAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) to advance regional SDG and environmental policy development in the ASEAN region.

This partnership focuses on:

• Joint research and policy development on climate resilience and circular economy,
• Organizing regional policy dialogues to facilitate government collaboration, and
• Developing environmental data platforms to support evidence-based decision-making in ASEAN governments.

This initiative exemplifies Chulalongkorn’s direct involvement in regional SDG policy processes, from identifying problems and analyzing challenges, to co-developing policy frameworks and supporting adaptive management.

Through this ongoing collaboration, the university helps shape sustainable urban development policies across Asia — reinforcing its role as a policy think tank and knowledge partner for regional resilience. [ https://www.iges.or.jp/en/news/20250821 ]

Collaborating with EGAT to Advance National Clean Energy and Hydrogen Policy

On 15 September 2025, Chula Unisearch, Chulalongkorn University’s applied research center, signed a research agreement with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to develop a framework for sustainable hydrogen production using renewable energy under Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

The research aims to integrate ESG assessment into project planning and implementation to ensure environmental integrity, community wellbeing, and transparent governance. The results will serve as academic evidence and policy guidance for Thailand’s national clean energy transition and future energy efficiency legislation.

This initiative directly supports Thailand’s Carbon Neutrality 2050 Strategy, with Chulalongkorn acting as a lead research institution providing technical models and policy recommendations for national energy decision-making. [ https://www.egat.co.th/home/20250917-pre112/ ]