A wealthy but still green Bangkok

Through a new mechanism known as carbon finance, Bangkok can profit from cleaning up its pollution, turning solid waste and waste water into renewable energy, getting people out of their cars and putting in place low-carbon mass transportation system, said Dr Nat Pinnoi, a carbon finance expert from the World Bank.

Projects that generate a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions could apply for carbon credits that can be sold under the clean development mechanism (CDM). Any certified emission reduction credit can be traded with developed countries trying to meet their emission reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol

"What's the ultimate goal of a city?" Nat said. "High standard of living? High economic growth? Happiness? Sustainable economic and social development? High competitiveness? The answer is all of the above plus lower greenhouse gas emissions."

For Bangkok to achieve the 15 per cent carbon reduction target by 2012 as set by Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, the World Bank economist encouraged measurement of carbon footprints of the city.

Climate change analyst Suppakorn Chinvanno agreed it was time for Bangkokians to be aware of their carbon footprints.."Just turn off air-cons for three hours a day in every building - that would help save a lot of energy," he said.