Factors, Problems and Obstacles in Developing Hatyai City Municipality into a Low Carbon City of Thailand

This research is a study about the city development of Hatyai City Municipality using 4 ways to develop a low-carbon city, namely: 1) city of trees 2) city of waste minimization 3) city of energy efficiency and 4) city of sustainable consumption. Qualitative research is used to find answers in developing the city through policy, participation and suggestions, in order to be a low-carbon city according to the fixed guidelines. In-depth interview and participatory observation are used for research techniques with 3 groups of stakeholders; administrator and officers of Hatyai City Municipality, other local authorities, private representatives and civil society. Data is analyzed using grounded theory. The study found that an important influence that affects policy setting is an outer organization network which works as a volunteer and takes part in pushing for policy and affects development trends in the future. Factors, problems and obstacles were found that show there are limitations in setting national and local policy, lack of environmental knowledge, lack of participation to achieve a low-carbon city. A policy suggestion to set a goal for a low-carbon city that people is to unanimously participate in, reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas and for an operation to set a policy and work plan for people to acknowledge the benefit of being a low-carbon city and the positive impact on life quality, the economy, society and environment.