The Forestias, a 158-acre green district under construction at Bangna, will provide a test bed for cutting Thailand’s greenhouse gas emissions through MQDC’s new collaboration with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) and EEC-DT, a specialist in eco-friendly power systems.

The Forestias is Thailand’s largest property development with an investment value of THB125 billion.

The sustainable project, with residences set in nature for healthy living, is aiming to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 40% through combining renewable energy, high-efficiency power systems, and forest ecosystems.

Developer MQDC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TGO and EEC-DT to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the project over 3 years, setting a new direction for Thai property development.

Mr. Keerin Chutumstid, President of Property & Service Business Group of MQDC, said the collaboration would help develop knowledge and practical insights to combat global warming.

“The Forestias is a neighborhood project, with residences, hotels, hospitals, offices and commercial areas – as well as 30 rai of forest – under the concept of ‘The Land of Everlasting Happiness’,” he said.

“The project will open many opportunities to reduce carbon emissions or ‘fix’ them into living organisms such as trees. Thailand faces great threats from climate change and worsening drought and floods. Rising temperatures could also trigger a vicious cycle of surging power demand for residential cooling. The Forestias can contribute critical research and action.”

TGO Executive Director Mrs. Prasertsuk Patoonsittichai said the initiative could provide vital insights for new practices in property development in Thailand.

“Global warming and climate change already have a wide impact due to rising greenhouse gas emissions. In this situation, Thailand has shown its intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7-20% by 2020 and 20-25% by 2030. To achieve this goal all sectors must contribute.

“TGO is honored to be working with MQDC. We aim to support academic research to assess the amount of greenhouse gases that can be reduced or stored from activities at The Forestias. The Forestias will implement activities by following TGO mechanisms including the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (T-VER) and Low Emission Support Scheme (LESS).”

Mr. Kecha Thirakomen, CEO of EEC DT Green Power, said the MoU would help develop and assess critical new approaches to counter climate change.

“Under MQDC’s principle of ‘For All Well-Being’, The Forestias aims to provide the best life to its residents, whether human or animal, plant, or insect,” he said.

“Working under MQDC’s principle of ‘sustainnovation’, EEC-DT has helped develop efficient power and utility systems, such as district cooling and a centralized utility plant (CUP). A ‘cooling basin’ uses architectural design features to create a cool climate. The collaboration will assess the effectiveness of these engineering systems we have planned, which are expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 40% compared with conventional projects,” said Mr. Kecha.

Mr. Kittiphun Ouiyamaphun, Senior Vice President of The Forestias by MQDC, said the collaboration would drive a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from real estate projects at a national level.

“The inspiration of MQDC to develop The Forestias is to create the world’s first city under the concept of ‘The Land of Everlasting Happiness’ with a focus on designing all environments to connect with nature. Under this collaboration we aim for The Forestias to help measure greenhouse gas emissions, including the certification of greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

“We will provide The Forestias as a pilot area for academic support in assessing the amount of greenhouse gases, including various activities to reduce or store greenhouse gases.”

The MoU was signed at Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC) by Mr. Keerin Chutumstid of MQDC, Mrs. Prasertsuk Patoonsittichai of TGO, and Mr. Kecha Thirakomen of EEC DT Green Power.