Exploring the Factors Associated with Climate-Related Issues in a Special Economic Development Zone: Application of a DPSIR Framework

The rapid global increase in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) raises concerns regarding potential impacts on the environment, especially water use intensity, an increased risk of natural disasters, and elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, studies examining these are limited. Therefore, aim this paper is to examine influence SEZ development factors flooding, scarcity, GHG emissions using Tak Thailand as a case study. A Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework, together with structural equation modeling (SEM) through partial least squares (PLS) approach, has been used interrelationships between factors. results revealed that economic, industrial, urban key drivers associated zone. population density, consumption, waste generation, vehicular traffic all significantly put pressure climate change impacts. integration DPSIR framework PLS-SEM technique explore relationship among multiple sustainability indicators contributes existing assessment methodology. Future research can utilize presented identify for evaluation other types zones have variety socio-economic activities.