Thailand strengthens evidence-based planning to support a Just Transition

Bangkok (ILO News) – Thailand is making an important step to align climate ambition with inclusive economic growth and decent work through the introduction of a Just Transition Assessment Model (JTAM). 

On 26 January 2026 senior policymakers, researchers, social partners, and development partners met in Bangkok to discuss the application of JTAM-Thailand. 

JTAM-Thailand is a nationally calibrated assessment model designed to support policy analysis. It brings together economic, labour market, social and environmental data to assess the potential impacts of climate and development policies on gross domestic product (GDP), investment, sectoral output, productivity, employment and emissions. 

By enabling scenario analysis, the model helps policymakers explore policy trade-offs and synergies across sectors and over time. 

The model has been developed through close cooperation between the International Labour Organization (ILO), National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), Thammasat University, and international research partners, ensuring strong national ownership, academic rigour, and relevance to Thailand’s policy context.  

Speaking at the opening session, Wichayayuth Boonchit, Chair of the PAGE National Steering Committee and Deputy Secretary General of the NESDC, said: “Thailand’s transition must reduce emissions while safeguarding economic growth, employment, and people’s well-being. Integrated analytical tools are critical to achieving this balance.”  

The initiative comes at a critical juncture for national policymaking, as Thailand is advancing key policy processes, including the Climate Change Bill, the development of carbon pricing and market instruments, and the implementation of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) commitments to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These processes require robust analytical tools that can help policymakers understand how climate policies interact with economic performance, employment, skills, and social outcomes. 

Reflecting on the importance of such tools, Lars Johansen, Deputy Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, noted: “Integrated assessment models like JTAM are essential to help policymakers navigate the complex links between climate ambition, economic transformation, and decent work, and to support informed and coherent policy choices.”  

A core principle underpinning JTAM-Thailand is Just Transition, ensuring that the shift towards a greener economy is fair and inclusive, supports decent work, and leaves no one behind. 

A three-day technical session was also held, jointly delivered by the ILO, Cambridge Econometrics, and Thammasat University to help strengthen national technical capacity to apply the JTAM–Thailand model.  

The consultation was jointly organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), and Thammasat University, under the  United Nations’ Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE). PAGE brings together five UN agencies - ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP and UNITAR - and supports countries to advance green economy transitions that balance environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social inclusion. 

Originally published by ILO