Researcher · Consultant · Policy Analyst

Thanakon
Sukuman

PhD candidate at Kyoto University researching the socioeconomic impacts of carbon removal technologies. Former World Bank and Asian Development Bank consultant specializing in climate finance, life cycle assessment, and integrated assessment modeling.

Trusted By & Affiliated With
World Bank ADB CIF UN ESCAP Kyoto University Mahidol University KMUTT University of Bergen

What I Study

Climate Finance & Policy

Analyzing climate finance flows, green bonds, and policy mechanisms for developing countries in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Climate FinancePolicy AnalysisGreen Bonds

Life Cycle Assessment

Cradle-to-grave environmental impact evaluation following ISO 14040/14044. Research on circular agricultural systems and greenhouse gas emissions.

LCAISO 14040Circular Economy

Integrated Assessment Modeling

Using the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM) to research socioeconomic impacts of carbon removal technologies and policy trade-offs.

AIMCDRScenario Analysis

Climate Smart Agriculture

Sustainable agri-food systems integrating climate resilience, productivity, and emissions reduction. Studied at Mahidol University and applied through work with the Asian Development Bank.

CSAAgri-food SystemsClimate Resilience

Geographic Information Systems

Spatial analysis and geospatial modeling applied to environmental research, developed through master's thesis work at Kyoto University.

GISSpatial AnalysisRemote Sensing

Field Survey Research

On-the-ground data collection and community-based research, including fieldwork along the Chao Phraya River basin studying environmental and socioeconomic conditions.

Field ResearchSurvey DesignCommunity Data

Experience

Apr 2026 – Present
Max Thabiso Edkins Climate Ambassador
Global Youth Climate Network
Climate ambassadorship focused on youth engagement and environmental advocacy.
Nov 2025 – Present
Trade, Investment & Innovation Analyst
United Nations ESCAP
Trade and investment analysis focusing on sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Jan 2025 – Present
Associate Researcher
Climate Finance Network Thailand
Research on climate finance policies. Analytical articles on climate finance trends for policymakers.
Dec 2025 – Apr 2026
Research Fellow
Kyoto University
Research using R programming. Supervised research on climate policy assessment models.
Sep – Nov 2024
Youth & Agri-food Systems Specialist
Asian Development Bank
Sustainable agri-food systems, climate resilience, and youth engagement strategies.
Oct 2023 – Oct 2024
CIF Youth Climate Fellow
Climate Investment Funds / World Bank
Climate resilience, sustainable land use, and clean energy in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Aug – Oct 2023
DFAT Australia Awards Fellow
University of Technology Sydney
Building health resiliency systems through multilateral and interdisciplinary WASH interventions.
Jan 2018 – Dec 2022
Research Assistant
Mahidol University International College
Microbial community analysis, primate research in Thailand's national parks. Data collection, paper summarization, and manuscript writing.
Jan – Apr 2021
Teacher Assistant
Mahidol University International College
Assisted teaching Cell Biotechnology. Preparing equipment, answering student inquiries, and maintaining cell cultures.
Dec 2018 – Mar 2019
Translator and Transcriber
University of Bergen
Freelance translation and transcription work for research projects.

Education

Oct 2024 – Sep 2027
Kyoto University
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Environmental Engineering (Atmospheric and Thermal Environmental Engineering)
Nov 2025 – Nov 2026
The University of Western Australia
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Business Administration and Management
Oct 2024 – Nov 2025
Sasin School of Management
Post Graduate Professional Diploma (PGDip)
Business Administration and Management
Apr 2022 – Mar 2024
Kyoto University
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Environmental Management
Jul 2021 – May 2024
Mahidol University
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
Environmental and Water Resource Engineering
Aug 2017 – Apr 2021
Mahidol University
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Biology (Biomedical Module) & Psychology (Minor)

Honours & Awards

Nov 2025
Outstanding Thesis Award Promoting Mahidol University's SDG Policies 2025
Mahidol University
Recognition for thesis work advancing Mahidol University's Sustainable Development Goals policies.
Aug 2024
MEXT Scholarship
Japanese Government
3 years full PhD Scholarship at Kyoto University.
Aug 2023
DFAT Australia Awards Fellowship
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
Full scholarship from Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Apr 2022
JASSO Scholarship
Japanese Government
Full Scholarship at Kyoto University.
Aug 2021
The 60th Year Supreme Reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Scholarship
Mahidol University
Full scholarship at Mahidol University.
Mar 2017
Essay Competition Award
Mahidol University International College
Winner of essay competition on "The Greatest Teacher of All Thai".
Jan 2017
Veteran Scholarship
Thai Veteran Organisation
Partial scholarship from the veteran organisation in Thailand.

Publications

29
Citations
2
h-index
7+
Papers
Transient reliance on carbon removal and storage in long-term energy system transitions
Under Review
2026
Health impacts from PM2.5 exposure using environmental epidemiology and health risk assessment
Applied Environmental Research 45(3)
24 cited
2023
Life cycle assessment of agricultural systems toward circularity
Sustainable Production and Consumption 58, 203-220
5 cited
2025
Life Cycle GHG Emissions of Circular Sugarcane Cultivation in Kanchanaburi
10th Intl Conference on Engineering and Technology
2024
Nature-Based Solutions for Ecological Challenges in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Intl Conference on Economics, Law and Government
2024
Health Impacts and Costs from PM2.5 and Ozone Formation in Chiang Mai
8th Intl Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment
2022
View all academic articles →

Let’s Collaborate

Interested in climate research collaboration, consulting, or speaking engagements? I’d love to hear from you.