The Bangkok Outcome Document, released by the Asian Productivity  Organisation (APO), calls upon global economies to explore and adopt new business models to achieve long-term business sustainability for a low-carbon future. The document is based on deliberations at the International Asia EnviroEconomics Conference.

Recognizing existing resource limitations, the Bangkok Outcome Document identifies three key strategies and several steps for mitigating climate change. It also calls upon APO members and world economies to develop sustainable, smart, green communities and cities, and targets 50 percent reductions in water, waste, and carbon emissions per capita in cities by 2030. The document recommends that this be achieved through recycling water and waste and doubling renewable and bioenergy use.

It also suggests that by 2020 the world should double the number of eco-smart cities, reduce traffic congestion by 50 percent by increasing the volume and share of public transportation, and establish standards and criteria for eco-smart cities, said a press release.

The conference was organized by the APO, along with the Thailand Productivity Institute and Federation of Thai Industries, as part of the Eco-Products International Fair 2016 in Bangkok from June 8 to 10, 2016.

According to APO Secretary-General Mari Amano, “The Bangkok Outcome Document serves as a blueprint for future actions to ensure a low-carbon, sustainable future, building on progress already made through GP (Green Productivity) initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere.” He also called upon global economies, especially APO members to work together to implement the recommendations of the document and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

The conference urged governments and decision makers around the world to recognise the need for a change in the present economic model and move away from the conventional short-term supply vision. It called upon policymakers to respect social and planetary limits to mitigate climate change impacts and work to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and implement the Paris Climate Agreement.


Read Bangkok Outcome Document