Introduction
Chiang Mai University has established systematic local education programmes addressing climate change risks, impacts, mitigation and adaptation throughout 2024, demonstrating institutional commitment to building climate resilience across northern Thailand. These initiatives engage diverse stakeholders including local communities, school children, practitioners and government officers, providing essential knowledge and skills for climate action while supporting Thailand’s commitments to the Paris Agreement and national decarbonization pathways.
My Climate Winter School: Building Social Science Capacity for Climate Adaptation
The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development hosted the My Climate Winter School programme from January 9-16, 2024, followed by a subsequent session on January 20-28, 2025. This intensive educational initiative equipped participants with qualitative research methodologies and social science perspectives on climate change, focusing specifically on how local communities respond to climate risks amidst structural challenges. The curriculum covered critical themes including climate vulnerability assessment, adaptation strategies, community-based climate resilience and early warning system implementation. Participants gained practical understanding of greenhouse gas emissions impacts, climate policy frameworks and climate justice principles, preparing them to support vulnerable populations in developing effective adaptation responses to global warming and extreme weather events.
Forest Restoration Education: Ecosystem-Based Climate Mitigation
The Forest Restoration Research Unit delivered comprehensive training workshops throughout 2024 for diverse stakeholders, providing hands-on education in forest ecosystem restoration as a climate mitigation strategy. These customized programmes taught participants practical techniques for carbon sequestration through reforestation, biodiversity recovery and climate resilience building. Educational activities covered seed collection, nursery management, tree planting methodologies and forest monitoring protocols. The programmes emphasized the framework species method for restoring degraded forests that function as natural carbon sinks, demonstrating how forest restoration contributes to reducing carbon footprint and achieving carbon neutrality goals. School children learned through the “Forests on Blackboards” curriculum, while government officers and NGO personnel received professional training in adaptive forest management and fire prevention strategies critical for climate adaptation in seasonally dry environments.
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Youth Climate Leadership: Technology-Enabled Environmental Action
In collaboration with FabCafe Bangkok, the university implemented The Regenerative Future programme engaging 38 students from twelve schools across five Thai cities. This innovative initiative addressed the urgent wildfire crisis in Chiang Mai through immersive technology-based learning experiences. Participants received training in climate risk assessment, impact reduction methodologies and early warning technologies including drone surveillance and IoT monitoring systems. Working directly with affected communities in Ban Pang Yang village and conservation officers from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, students developed practical solutions for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The programme demonstrated effective integration of environmental education with emerging technologies, empowering young people to contribute meaningfully to climate emergency responses.
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Carbon Footprint Training: Building Technical Capacity for Net Zero Goals
The university’s Net Zero Carbon initiative launched specialized carbon footprint training for 50 local participants in 2024, providing certification through comprehensive education on greenhouse gas measurement, carbon emissions reduction strategies and climate mitigation implementation. This capacity-building programme equipped community members with technical knowledge essential for achieving carbon neutrality targets at institutional and household levels. Training covered scope-based emissions accounting following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, renewable energy integration, energy efficiency improvements and sustainable consumption practices aligned with Thailand’s climate policy objectives and net-zero commitments.
Conclusion
Through these interconnected educational programmes, Chiang Mai University demonstrates comprehensive approaches to local climate education encompassing adaptation planning, mitigation technologies, impact reduction and early warning system development. By systematically engaging communities, schools and practitioners across multiple platforms, the university fulfills its critical role in building regional climate resilience while advancing national and global climate action goals.
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