Despite ongoing efforts in Thailand, plastic waste leaking into the environment remains a significant problem. Thailand is ranked among the top 10 countries with the highest volume of mismanaged waste. In 2019, the Thailand government has announced the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy concept as part of the national agenda for the country’s development. The Government of Thailand released the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018-2030, which includes bioplastics as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional (petroleum-based) plastics. Bioplastics refer to bio-based and compostable/biodegradable plastics made through biochemical processes from biomass materials, such as sugar extracted from cassava and corn, or from petroleum. As Thailand is one of the world’s leading agricultural countries and regional petrochemical producers in Southeast Asia, the bioplastic industry is a complementary alternative for the country’s petrochemical industry as well as the agricultural sector. Bioplastic production may be a good opportunity to utilize and enhance the agricultural products’ value in addition to rather being commodity food products. The Environment Thematic Group in the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC) is implementing a regional technical assistance (TA) project ($15 million, approved 2019) that supports action planning, policy and regulatory reform, pilots, pipeline development, investment preparation, and knowledge sharing in integrated solid waste management systems and circular economy interventions to reduce marine plastic pollution from source to sea. Under this TA, a Policy Specialist (Thailand) will be engaged to review the national plans, policy, and regulatory environment for bioplastics in line with assessments on the sustainability of biomass resources; its readiness to enter the current recycling infrastructure; and its role in a circular plastic economy and reducing marine plastic pollution.
Scope of Work
The Policy Specialist (Thailand) will work closely with a consultant team tasked with developing a study on developing the bioplastics value chain in Thailand by conducting a review of S/he will work closely with the project officer and consultant team to prepare and finalize a draft policy brief with recommendations for policy and regulatory reforms to strengthen the bioplastics sector in Thailand. With particular reference to COVID-19, any need for international and national travel shall be assessed by ADB and Consultant using ADB’s advice at the time of travel. Subject to ADB’s approval, the Consultant may use remote video technology meetings to replace face-to-face meetings as considered necessary.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The Policy Specialist (Thailand) will do the following tasks: 1. Create country profiles on regulatory approaches and other policies used to support the bioplastics industry and its value chains, based on case studies in ASEAN 2. Provide inputs to the literature review, covering the following: a. Regulatory approaches and other policies used to support the Bioplastics industry (including PLA, TPS, PBS and others) and its value chains in Thailand b. Programs and initiatives supporting ASEAN-Thailand cooperation on bioplastics value chain development c. Conduct in-depth discussion with the government, private sector, and stakeholders to consider implementation challenges, opportunities for the bioeconomy, and long-term sustainability. 3. Co-lead (with consultant team) the stakeholder workshop, including relevant sessions on a policy dialogue, information gathering with the private sector, and study findings on cost-benefit analysis, value chain review, best practices, and results 4. Develop and finalize policy brief with recommendations for policy and regulatory reforms that enable greater investment in the bioplastics value chain and transition to a circular economy for bioplastics, as well as greater ASEAN-Thailand cooperation on bioplastics value chain development 5. Submit first draft policy brief for review 6. Support in addressing review comments 7. Finalize draft policy brief for submission
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The candidate shall have an advanced university degree in environmental policy, circular economy, solid waste management, environmental management, or related fields. S/he shall have experience on policy research, development and institutional strengthening activities related to circular economy or plastic waste management in Thailand.
Minimum General Experience8YearsMinimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment)5Years
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