Empowering the Next Generation: Banpu’s Power Green Camp Transforms Youths into Environmental Leaders
Two Power Green Camp Alumni Recognized as “Outstanding Youth in Natural Resources and Environment,” a Proud Achievement Reflecting Thai Youth’s Potential and Banpu’s Commitment to Empowering the Next Generation in Environmental Stewardship.
The power of the new generation is “the hope of this world.” Amidst global volatility, which has led to widespread impacts, especially the increasingly severe environmental problems, supporting young people to participate, present ideas, and perspectives to protect the planet is crucial. This is not to instill fear of an uncertain future, but rather to raise awareness and demonstrate our belief in the potential of the new generation as a powerful source of hope, playing a vital role in creating a sustainable society and world.
For over 20 years, Banpu Public Company Limited has been committed to developing the potential of Thai youth through the Power Green Camp (PWG). This camp serves as a “nurturing platform” that has produced quality individuals spread across the country. The knowledge and experiences provided by the project to PWG youth have fostered a network of young leaders ready to drive change.
Currently, PWG has developed over 1,200 Thai youths. In the past two years, this success has been reinforced by PWG alumni who have won “Outstanding Children and Youth in Natural Resources and Environment” awards at the provincial level. The first is Noo Wan – Pannakorn Aomsin, a PWG Alumni 19, from Chalermprakiat Somdet Phra Srinakarin Kanchanaburi School. She recently received the “Outstanding Child and Youth in Natural Resources and Environment” award from the Kanchanaburi Provincial Children and Youth Council and the Kanchanaburi Provincial Home for Children and Families, on the occasion of Kanchanaburi Provincial Youth Day 2025.
Noo Wan is a new-generation individual who believes, “I grew up with trees; they are our friends. If there are no trees, there is no us. I want to continue taking care of them.” This passion drove Noo Wan to join PWG19 in 2024, which was organized under the theme of “Urban Rewilding: Forest – Cities – Lives.” This theme resonated with Noo Wan’s interests and passion, as it emphasized that youth should reconnect with forests, understand ecosystems, and participate more in restoring the relationship between nature and the city.
“Joining PWG was a turning point in my life. It opened my world and allowed me to understand environmental problems in a broader and deeper dimension than ever before. That year, my team’s ‘tintin assistance’ application project, which we conceived and presented at the camp, won first prize. It wasn’t just an application for managing green spaces in the city, but an example of creative thinking that proved youth can truly change cities and the environment. And returning as a mentor for PWG20, in addition to passing on inspiration to the younger participants, was an opportunity for me to learn about carbon reduction, which was the main theme of the 20th camp. I also used that knowledge to further my own research project, studying the comparative efficiency of carbon dioxide absorption by various air-purifying plants, creating new knowledge building upon existing foundations.”
In addition to Noo Wan, another youth from the camp who received recognition and a certificate for “Outstanding Child and Youth in Natural Resources and Environment” from the Chiang Mai Provincial Children and Youth Council, in collaboration with the Chiang Mai Provincial Home for Children and Families, and the Chiang Mai Outstanding Youth Club for 2024, is Tee – Siriraj Yana, a PWG17. He is currently a first-year student in the Faculty of Engineering at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
“As a Chiang Mai native, I face the PM 2.5 problem every year. This made me want to stand up and protect my family’s health and find a solution to this problem so that Chiang Mai can once again have clean air and we can breathe with confidence.”
Tee joined PWG17 in 2022, which focused on the theme “Climate Change, We Must Change,” with a determination to learn about climate change and apply that knowledge to solve the problems he and his community were facing. PWG opened Tee’s eyes to a deeper and more serious understanding of this issue. After the camp, he continued to drive serious of environmental actions, participating in various camps and projects in Chiang Mai, organizing environmental activities, and taking on the role of a youth leader to push for changes, including as a member of the Chiang Mai Provincial Children and Youth Council, founder of the YRC Green Generation youth group, and the GreenerThailand page. Tee’s efforts began to raise widespread awareness, leading to recognition and ultimately winning the “Outstanding Youth in Natural Resources and Environment” award.
Mr. Rattapon Sukhunthee, Head of Corporate Communications at Banpu Public Company Limited, stated, “Power Green Camp is Thailand’s longest-running environmental science camp. We continuously strive to develop content that is relevant to current environmental situations and challenges. Our success is not just about the overwhelming interest from young people who apply each year, but about seeing these youths take what they’ve learned at the camp and apply it to their own communities, both as leaders of community change and as inspirers for those around them. I would like to congratulate Noo Wan and Tee, and I believe that all the youths in the Power Green network have also built upon the knowledge from the camp in their own unique ways.”
Follow the activities and details of the “Power Green Camp” environmental science youth project at https://www.facebook.com/powergreencamp
###
About Power Green Camp
The “Power Green Camp,” launched in 2006, has been continuously organized through a collaboration between Banpu Public Company Limited and the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Mahidol University. Guided by the concept of “Environmental Science – Learning to Practice,” the camp’s mission is to equip students with knowledge about the environment and natural resources, inspire participants to develop a deep appreciation for nature while empowering them to apply scientific principles to address environmental challenges systematically. Additionally, the program aims to nurture future leaders and foster a strong network dedicated to environmental protection.
About Banpu
Banpu Public Company Limited is a versatile energy company, operating across three core groups of businesses – energy resources, energy generation, and energy technology – with operations in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Australia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Japan, the United States of America, and Vietnam. The Company leads a responsible and sustainable energy transition by balancing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
About Banpu CSR
Banpu Public Company Limited, a leading diversified energy company, elevates its corporate social responsibility initiatives to Purpose-driven CSR under the guiding principle: “Embracing Potential, Energizing People” This philosophy underscores Banpu’s dedication to generating sustainable benefits and value for communities, society, and the environment through the development of “people,” our most invaluable resource. Banpu’s CSR strategically focuses on four key areas of human potential development:
- Intellectual Enhancement
- Wealth & Wellbeing
- Earth Betterment
- Energy Sustainability