UNDP Jobs - 59188- Consultant for the Development of GHG Inventory Pr

Consultant for the Development of GHG Inventory Protocol and Management Plan for the Business Sector

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Nine months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has engaged the private sector in the various activities of the LECB PHL Project. The private sector is represented in the: (1) National Steering Committee which acts as the Project Board that provides overall guidance and direction in implementing the project, (2) in the Core Technical Working Group (TWG) and, (3) in the six TWGs established in the different focus sectors of agriculture, waste, industry, transport, forestry and energy (AWIT-FE). The TWGs were created to assist in the implementation of the Project’s activities and attain its objectives and expected outputs.

The government would also like to build on the synergies created by the business summits which were held in 2013 and 2014 to engage the private sector in climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.

The Project therefore aims to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies with the private sector. Project partners will be encouraged to set corporate-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal and inventory their emissions as a business practice to track or measure the same. They would be encouraged to develop an inventory protocol which would define how project partners (through industry associations/organizations) inventory and report their GHG emissions.

The protocol would neither be a regulatory imposition nor a reporting requirement to any government agency. With the protocol, partners would be able to maintain a lasting record of their accomplishments. Also, by participating in the project and preparing GHG emissions inventory data, partners go beyond the usual corporate social responsibility (CSR) aspect of their operations. Partners would be able to manage their GHG risks and identify reduction opportunities, obtain public support by reporting and participating in GHG programs, participate in GHG markets and be recognized by Government and other institutions for their best practices in climate change activities. Partners would also strategically position themselves for any climate change policy that the Government may pursue not only in fulfillment of the country’s commitments to the UNFCCC but also for economic growth and development.

In general, what gets measured gets managed. A company would have a better understanding of its emissions profile and any potential GHG liability or “exposure” by regularly compiling its GHG inventory. A company’s GHG exposure is increasingly becoming a management issue worldwide in light of heightened scrutiny by the insurance industry, shareholders, and the emergence of environmental policies by governments that are designed to reduce GHG emissions.

In various meetings/workshops conducted by the Project and in the Business Summits with the private sector, it was recognized that significant GHG emissions in a company’s value chain may result in increased costs or reduced sales. Thus, investors are beginning to view significant indirect emissions of a company’s operations as potential liabilities that need to be managed and reduced. Consumer awareness of climate change and its impacts has also been heightened by the series of disasters that recently hit the country. Thus, consumers are beginning to take into consideration in their purchase brands or products that they perceive as “environment-friendly”.

In recognition of their voluntary action, the Government in turn shall provide technical assistance to the industry in the development of the GHG inventory protocol, provide baseline data inventories for GHG emission, identify mitigation action/LEDS options or opportunities, conduct regular public announcement or press conferences on accomplishments, attend industry conferences/workshops, highlight case studies or best practices on climate change and establish or institutionalize a government award/recognition system for industries.

Duties and Responsibilities

The LECB PHL Project requires the services of a Consulting Firm referred herein as “Contractor” that shall undertake the following tasks:

Develop a roadmap for relevant, complete, consistent, transparent, and accurate corporate-wide GHG accounting and reporting.

Establish the GHG Inventory Protocol.

An accounting and reporting framework based on a GHG protocol, its standards, and its tools shall be established. The protocol shall be based on a framework that integrates widely accepted approaches and methodologies. It shall be used to develop a corporate-wide GHG inventory of all sources of the six major gases. The different GHG accounting and reporting protocols used by businesses and industries (e.g. WRI and US-EPA) shall be identified, assessed and compared. A stakeholder consultation shall be conducted on the adoption of the most appropriate protocol to be used for the corporate-wide GHG inventory.

Development of the GHG Program specifications.

The following specifications of the national GHG accounting and reporting program for the private sector may be considered: a) Program objectives and principles, (b) Elements of the GHG Program structure such as sectors, sources, and gases as well as geographical boundaries, and (c) Accounting and reporting specifications including definition of organization boundaries and reporting of indirect emissions; base year establishment, emission accounting thresholds, adoption of sector-specific calculation protocols and identification of reporting requirements. Government policies in the development of the specifications may be observed such as the use of 2010 as base year and the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The program development will be done through an open, transparent, and inclusive multi-stakeholder approach. This approach will ensure that the program will consider local conditions and a sense of ownership among partners and stakeholders.

Development of a GHG Inventory Management Plan (IMP).

After understanding its emissions profile and any potential GHG liability or “exposure” from its GHG emissions inventory, companies can now set their GHG emissions reduction goals. GHG reductions can be measured by comparing absolute changes in the company’s overall GHG emissions over time, or by developing ratio indicators to track relative performance. An IMP template shall be developed or adopted on the process for completing a high-quality, corporate-wide inventory and document progress towards a reduction goal. Companies use an IMP to institutionalize a process for collecting, calculating, and maintaining GHG data. The IMP is an internal process for the Partner to institutionalize the completion of a high quality inventory and not strictly as a government reporting requirement. The IMP may include the following: partner information, boundary conditions, emissions quantification, data management, management tools, auditing & verification.

Develop and establish reporting platform.

The platform is an online registry and knowledge management system on corporate GHG inventories using the GHG Protocol. It shall be a web-based network of resource centers that is accessible to all businesses and industries at the national and local levels. Partners can publicize their participation, reduction pledge, and accomplishments achieved through the platform. The NICCDIE being set-up by the Project may be used for this purpose.

Establishment of a Recognition Program.

A program which will recognize the levels achieved by companies or organizations involved in the management of GHG through a system of logos, categorized and ranked in different levels shall be developed. The logos are presented annually and may be included in the Awards Program being developed by the Project. The “HuellaChile” official program for the quantification, reporting and management of corporate carbon footprint may be considered in the development of this recognition program. It is a free, voluntary and online program where organizations, companies, etc. can participate, regardless of category, size or activity. Its Recognition Program which awards 4 distinctions logos according to level of management should be looked into for possible adoption into the reporting system and platform.

Program Promotion and Capacity Building.

A program on building technical and institutional capacity of stakeholders shall be developed. The program may include training for participating companies and organizations and the conduct of a GHG Reporting Conference to jumpstart the Protocol.

Develop the GHG Inventory Protocol and Management Plan Manual.

The manual provides the necessary guidelines and information in implementing the GHG Inventory Protocol and Management Plan.

Create knowledge products on the final output for dissemination to stakeholders.

Assist in the conduct of necessary fora and workshops to raise awareness and build capacity on the Program.

Serve as resource person for the presentation of the output.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional and technical competencies

Strong knowledge of the latest theories and concepts in urban development and sustainable cities in the Philippines and broader region;
Strong analytical and research skills;
Familiarity with current actors working on urban development challenges in the Philippines;
Strong communication skills and ability to communicate with different stakeholders;
Excellent in oral and written communication; have skills to write independent reports, documents, maintain systems and procedures in administering programs.

Required Skills and Experience

The Contractor or any of its key personnel should have successfully executed at least one similar contract (i.e., climate change mitigation and/or national or project/entity-level GHG inventory) within the last 5 years. It shall also demonstrate that it will have the personnel for the key positions that meet the following requirements:

Education:

Degree in agriculture, industrial engineering, energy engineering, environmental planning, environmental science, or related field. Advance or graduate degrees are preferable.

Experience:

At least 5 years work experiences on climate change mitigation, GHG inventory and/or projects;
Strong familiarity with environmental laws and regulations, planning processes and regulations at the national, subnational and local levels;
Strong familiarity with 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Familiarity with international climate change negotiations issues would be an advantage; and,
Strong communication skills, including demonstrated written and presentation skills and the capacity to relate to both internal and external constituencies of the project.

Language:

Fluent in English.