Chiang Mai University Helps Shape National SDG Policy on Carbon Capture and Flood Risk

In 2025, Chiang Mai University (CMU) had direct involvement in,and gave input into, national government SDG Policy development during 2025. The work coverd carbon capture for Thailand’s net zero target under Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and flood-risk planning under Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Through its Faculty of Law,the university also worked with a national public organization on access to justice for highland communities, part of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Together, these show how CMU supports Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

A seat on the national carbon capture steering committee

              On 14 March 2025, CMU signed the agreement that set up the Thailand CCUS Alliance (TCCA) alongside the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B),the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Industry partners included the Federation of Thai Industries,the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association,PTT Exploration and Production and WHA Corporation. Vice President Assoc.Prof.Dr. Rattasit Sukhahuta signed for the university at Novotel Future Park Rangsit, Pathum Thani The alliance was formed to move carbon capture, utilisation and storage forward in step with national policy and with Thailand’s Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero targets. CMU’s part goes further than membership. Assoc.Prof.Dr.Suparit Tangparitkul, head of Chiang Mai Research Center for Carbon Capture and Storage,was appointed committee member and co-secretary of the TCCA Steering Committee. The committee is responsible for developing policies and strategies for in Thailand, including the national strategic plan and its operational guidelines. The university also gives academic opinion on the legal and regulatory framework and the financial mechanisms that CCUS will need, which helps the committee identify problems and challenges before the rules are written.

Flood-risk mapping put before the Prime Minister

In late November 2025, Assoc. Prof. Chuchoke Aryupong of CMU’s Center of Excellence in Natural Disaster Management (CENDiM) told Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that Chiang Mai now has a complete flood-risk map. The map is already online and is being finished so that the government agencies and residents can use it before the next rainy season. By modelling likely futures for the province,it gives early warning a firmer basis,enabling adaptive management of flood risk. He asked the government to help other provinces build the same kind of map.

Legal access for highland communities

        On 21 March 2025, the Faculty of Law and the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization), known as HRDI, renewed their academic cooperation agreement for a third year.The Dean of the Faculty and HRDI’s Acting Director signed it at the faculty. Under clause (1), both sides train their staff in Clinical Legal Education and provide legal advice to the public. HRDI describes the aims as wider access to the justice system for people in highland areas, free legal advice,equal access to justice and stronger rule of law for sustainable development. The first two years of legal clinics ran in the Huai Pha Royal Project area in Chiang Dao District and the Pa Phae Royal Project area in Mae Tang District, and the partners have agreed to take the work to other HRDI sites.