Background

The Second National Communication (SNC) on Climate Change Project will support the Lao PDR to prepare its SNC to the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in accordance with the Guidelines for the Preparation of National Communications from non-Annex I Parties (17/CP.8) adopted by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. The activities of the SNC project are a continuation and an update of the work undertaken by the Lao PDR in preparing its First National Communication during 1997-2000. The project has four main outputs:
 
  • National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGHGI);
  • development of programmes containing measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change;
  • development of programmes and plans that are considered relevant for the achievement of the objectives of the UNFCCC and
  • preparation of the SNC of Lao PDR.
 
The FNC reported an inventory of GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks prepared for the base year 1990. The Lao PDR's NGHGI of 1990 covered four sectors:
  • energy,
  • land use change and forestry,
  • agriculture and
  • waste.
A three-year average of activity data for the sectors of agriculture, land use change, and forestry, was calculated (1988, 1989, 1990), whereas data for the calendar year 1990 was used for the sectors of energy and waste. Industrial processes were not considered as the existing plants, such as cement plants and pulp and paper mill had not been built in 1990. Lack of data prevented the estimation of emissions for solvent and other product use. The greenhouse gases covered in the inventory were carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrous oxides (NOx). The inventory was conducted using activity data collected by government agencies, and when available, reports published by international organisations operating in the Lao PDR.
 
Since the first national greenhouse gas inventory was conducted in 1990, there have been some relative improvements in the collection and dissemination of national statistical data. Overall, for the base year of 2000, activity data is expected to be more consistent and readily available than for the year 1990.
 
The estimation and reporting of the national GHG inventory will be conducted in accordance with the revised 1996 IPCC guidelines, following the IPCC Good Practice Guidance (GPG) and Uncertainty Management in National GHG Inventories, and the GPG on Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF).
  
The inventory will be conducted for the following five sectors:
  1. energy (food combustion activities, biomass emissions),
  2. industry (cement, food and beverages, pulp and paper),
  3. agriculture (domestic livestock, rice cultivation, grassland burning, agricultural residue burning, agricultural soils),
  4. waste (solid waste, domestic/commercial wastewater, industrial wastewater, human sewage) and
  5. land use change and forestry (change in forest/wood biomass, forest/land use change).
In contrast with the FNC, the SNC will cover industrial processes as this sector has experienced significant development since 1990. The inventory will estimate in units of mass, by sources and removals by sinks, anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). When appropriate and conditional on data availability, information will be provided on emissions by sources for carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
 
Based on the experience and lessons learned from the INC, the project will broaden and consolidate the network of stakeholders, enhance technical capacity of national experts, and strengthen the institutional framework for the preparation of national communications. Furthermore, compared to the INC, the project will place greater emphasis on relevant policies on mitigation and adaptation to climate change and the results of their implementation, so as to enable Lao PDR to effectively address climate change in the process of pursuing national and sectoral sustainable development.
 
The project established a multidisciplinary working group with technical staff from relevant government agencies. This working group is responsible for conducting the inventory and has been divided into sectoral inventory teams. The main members of the sectoral inventory teams comprise the following and other agencies:
  1. energy(Water Resources and Environment Administration; Ministry of Public Works and Transport; Ministry of Energy and Mines; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Ministry of Industry and Commerce, National Statistics Centre, Lao Women Union etc.),
  2. land use change and forestry (Water Resources and Environment Administration; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Ministry of Public Works and Transports; National Statistics Centre, Lao Women Union etc.),
  3. agriculture (Water Resources and Environment Administration; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; National Statistics Centre, Lao Women Union etc.),
  4. industrial processes (Water Resources and Environment Administration; Ministry of Industry and Commerce; Ministry of Energy and Mines; National Statistics Centre, Lao Women Union etc.),
  5. waste (Water Resources and Environment Administration; Ministry of Public Works and Transport; Ministry of Industry and Commerce; Ministry of Public Health, Lao Women Union etc.). 
These institutional arrangements provide the basis for the preparation of national communications under the UNFCCC on a continuous basis.
 
With this brief background, the UNDP and Water Resource and Environment Administration (WREA) in Lao PDR is looking for a qualified/experienced International Technical Advisor to design and deliver one (1) national training for the working group members mentioned above on the use of the revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines, Good Practice Guidance (GPG), and GPG for LULUCF; strengthen capacity in selected methodologies; and facilitate the elaboration of a detailed workplan for conducting the NGHGI in Lao PDR. The 3 day training will approximately involve 30 participants. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall duties and responsibilities
  1. The review of the 1990 GHG inventory, for gaps in methodologies and data
  2. Review reporting instructions for NGHGI
  3. Determine which key source categories are the major contributors to the GHG in terms of absolute levels and trends in emissions
  4. Present and discuss possible methodologies and good practices; select methodologies of the IPCC Guidelines that are relevant for the Lao PDR and the GHG inventory year, taking into consideration existing technical capacity and data constraints
  5. Provide training to members of the technical working group in the prioritized methodologies
  6. Provide methodological guidance and facilitate the identification of objective and quality parameters to be met in the NGHGI
  7. Facilitate the elaboration of a detailed workplan for realizing the greenhouse gas inventory for Lao PDR
 
More specifically, the training will meet the following objectives:
  • Increase understanding of the participants on IPCC methodologies for conducting national GHG inventories by using the revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines and methodologies for conducting national GHG inventories, Good Practice Guidelines, and Good Practice Guidelines on Land Use and, Land-Use Change and forestry.
  • Demonstrate lessons learned, related experiences and best practices in GHG inventory.
  • Gender sensitivity and balance will be emphasized.
  • Training will need to range from basic introduction to comprehensive technical training, and intensive support will be required for the working group members (given that very few members of the working group have prior experience conducting a national GHG inventory)
  • Encourage the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience acquired from the training among fellow public servants in the Government and other organizations, groups and individuals.
Expected results
  1. Preliminary background information on technical appendices to the inventory, discussing inventory procedures, methodologies and levels of uncertainty;
  2. Identification of methods to be used, and objective and quality parameters to be met in the NGHGI;
  3. National ability to conduct a GHG inventory significantly strengthened, particularly strengthened human technical capacity;
  4. Detailed workplan for realizing the greenhouse gas inventory for Lao PDR.
Final products
 
The expected written outputs of this assignment should be submitted in publishable hard copies and one electronic copy in MS Word Format.
 
Deliverables and Milestones:
  • Activity 1: Submission of the training design and detailed agenda
  • Milestone 1: Approved training design and module
  • Activity 2: Signing of Contract, on First day of consultancy
  • Activity 3: Satisfactory training of SNC working group members in V&A assessments
  • Milestone 3: 3-day training completed, early October, 2009
  • Milestone 4: Submission of training final report, not later than 15 days after the last day of training.
Final training report to include:
  • Executive summary
  • Detailed report on the training, including the process of identifying tools and techniques for realizing the NGHGI in Lao PDR, technical training sessions, any concerns, etc.
  • Detailed work plan for developing the NGHGI in Lao PDR, including basic structure of NGHGI Chapter of SNC
  • Recommendations concerning any further training required
  • Conclusions
  • Annexes:
    1.     Training Agenda
    2.     Presentations
    3.     Materials
    4.     Analysis of training evaluation by participants

Duration of the assignment:

7 working days, two days of preparation, three days training (theory and practical), and two day to prepare the training report.

Application requirements
  • Submit a comprehensive training proposal which includes the training design, methodology and agenda
  • CV or P11

Competencies

  • At least 7 years working experience on climate change or related topics
  • Experience in conducting training on greenhouse gas inventories is essential
  • Familiar with equipment and software for greenhouse gas inventory
  • Excellent skills for both verbal and writing are required
  • Excellent computer skills, especially presentation skills
  • Experience in capacity development is beneficial

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master or higher degree in environmental sciences, which focus on climate change studies, particularly on greenhouse gas inventories (or equivalent experience)