Strengthening Transport Policies and Workforce Development for a Just Transition to Electric Mobility in Bangkok

This project “Strengthening Transport Policies and Workforce Development for a Just Transition to Electric Mobility in Bangkok” supports a transformative opportunity not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance climate action through the transition to electric mobility but also to deliver socio-economic benefits that leave no one behind. This includes pathways for healthier urban environments, improved access to essential services, and the creation of high-quality green jobs. The project addresses challenges which are entrenched in social and cultural norms offers the chance to improve the quality of jobs and support underrepresented groups to gain skills and access quality roles that will ultimately ensure a steady supply of skilled labour to support the growth of Thailand’s electric mobility sector. The project is designed to support the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in implementing Just Transition principles within its transport policies. The project outputs include equipping target stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to design and implement inclusive electric mobility policies and providing marginalized groups with targeted vocational training, thereby building a pipeline of skilled workers that will support Bangkok’s electric mobility ecosystem in the years to come. This project empowers marginalized groups by expanding access to training and skills development, supporting the BMA’s goals to create inclusive green jobs within new electric mobility roles. Additionally, the initiative aligns with Thailand’s broader 30@30 plan and the Ministry of Transport’s National Strategy for Transport System Development (2018–2037), which emphasize the need for qualified personnel to support low-carbon transport sector growth. This project also supports ESCAP Transport Division’s Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (2022-2026) on low-carbon transport and inclusive mobility, the latter of which mandates the provision of “Support for training and development of a robust human resource base in the transport sector.” In Bangkok, the transition to electric mobility will create meaningful employment opportunities and economic growth. However, the city still faces challenges related to its informal workforce and the need to address urban transport pollution. As part of UK PACT’s demand-driven development assistance approach, the BMA requested support in addressing these specific challenges by leveraging support for the transition to electric mobility. Therefore, this project delivers technical assistance to improve workforce skills, expand employment opportunities, and develop gender-responsive policies, all aligned with the BMA’s 20-Year Development Plan for the Bangkok Metropolis (2013–2032), which aims to secure stable incomes for informal workers and create a city that serves all residents equitably by 2032. A core focus of this UK PACT-funded project is its alignment with gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles, recognizing that achieving a low-carbon transition requires addressing existing inequalities within the sector. Through targeted technical assistance, this project ensures that workforce skills, training, and policy development are inclusive and gender-responsive, especially through pathways that create new opportunities for women and marginalized groups to enter the green economy. The establishment of a dedicated working group also ensures that the project outcomes become embedded within Bangkok’s long-term transport policies and workforce development strategies, creating a lasting impact for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Project symbol

THA/25/01/ESC

Admin unit

CO-Bangkok

Start date

21/03/2025

End date

16/12/2026

Total allocation

234050

Total expenditure

Status

Active

40132

Development Partners

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Country/Countries

Thailand

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions