The Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, with its long-standing “Planting Trees, Planting People” philosophy, has adapted its organizational strategy to respond to today’s global challenges. With over 36 years of experience in implementing the Mae Fah Luang model, the foundation has now launched a new division dedicated to “Sustainability Consulting.” This division aims to help tackle the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and promote sustainable goals by collaborating with both public and private sector networks to address these pressing issues.
M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, Secretary-General and CEO of The Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, said:
In 2025, the foundation will refocus its operations to adapt to the changing social and environmental landscape, with four key areas of work: 1) Area-based development projects to enhance the quality of life in local communities, 2) Social business initiatives under the Doi Tung brand to create stable employment and sustainable enterprises, 3) Nature-based Solutions to develop quality of life alongside environmental conservation, and 4) Sustainability consulting to help drive organizational sustainability by leveraging the knowledge and expertise accumulated through the Doi Tung Development Project and other past and present initiatives.
The foundation aims to integrate the Mae Fah Luang philosophy into global policies, applying the knowledge from Thailand to benefit other countries and organizations. The goal is to spread the royal work principles of Her Majesty Queen Srinagarindra, which can be applied on international platforms to achieve sustainability in all dimensions.
For the four key areas, roles and activities have been clearly defined:
- Area-Based Development Projects focus on improving the quality of life in local communities, integrating economic, social, and environmental aspects. These include initiatives like the Doi Tung Development Project, the Rojjai Rak Project in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai, and community forestry projects in northern Thailand, as well as overseas projects in Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Indonesia.
- Social Business under the Doi Tung Brand aims to create stable employment and sustainable businesses in five key sectors: processed foods, coffee and macadamia, handicrafts, Doi Tung cafés, agriculture, and tourism.
- Nature-Based Solutions focuses on enhancing life quality while preserving natural resources. In 2020, the foundation initiated the “Carbon Credit Forest Management Project” with the government, private sector, and local communities. The project registered as a voluntary carbon offset program under Thailand’s greenhouse gas management framework, covering over 258,000 rai of forest land and benefiting 281 communities in 11 provinces, with more than 150,000 participants. This initiative helps alleviate unemployment, reduce household debt, and mitigate forest fires and air pollution.
- Sustainability Consulting is a new initiative launched last year. This division offers practical sustainability solutions for businesses and organizations worldwide, addressing climate change, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and community development. The goal is to help businesses reduce carbon footprints, manage waste responsibly, and engage in community-based environmental projects to ensure long-term sustainability.
With this new organizational structure, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation is confident it can continue its mission to create lasting social and environmental impact, focusing on improving lives and contributing to the global sustainability movement.
