| Description |
CONSULTANT: CONSULTANCY FOR NATIONAL CDM STRATEGY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS | | Location : | Port Louis, MAURITIUS | | Application Deadline : | 17-Dec-08 | | Additional Category | Environment and Energy | | Type of Contract : | SSA | Languages Required :
| English French | Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start) | 19-Jan-2009 | | Duration of Initial Contract : | 20 working days | | Expected Duration of Assignment : | 4 weeks | | | Background | The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), contained in Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, is expected to play a significant role in assisting sustainable development and addressing poverty-environment issues in developing countries. However, Sub-Saharan Africa has to date largely been overlooked by the global carbon market: the region accounts for just 2 percent of confirmed CDM projects. The Government of Mauritius has requested UNDP to assist in preparing a National Strategy for CDM that aims at not only building the capacity of the country to effectively participate in the global carbon market but also suggest strategies through which Mauritius can promote CDM- related investment in the various sectors of the economy. | Duties and Responsibilities | The objective of this project is to prepare a National CDM Strategy for the Republic of Mauritius, through which the following core tasks will be achieved: - To strengthen the institutional and legislative framework for CDM.
- To assess Mauritius’ CDM investment potential in particular in the country’s priority sectors, building on previous scoping studies and in conjunction with pipeline development activities being implemented by UNDP and UNEP Risoe Center.
- To identify priority capacity building needs within the Government and potential CDM project proponents, and to develop a strategy and resource mobilization framework to address them.
The emphasis of the National CDM strategy will be on providing an overview of the potential of carbon finance (principally CDM) in Mauritius, identifying the legislative, sectoral, technical and financial barriers currently preventing the potential being realised, and constructive solutions to addressing these barriers. The intention would be to provide a factual, evidence-based foundation to the debate about carbon finance in Mauritius, and to provide a ‘roadmap’ for the Government, international agencies and other stakeholders seeking to remove investment/implementation barriers for CDM activities. The Strategy will devote special attention to the unique circumstances of Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). National CDM Strategy Focal Areas The National CDM Strategy should encompass the following focal areas: - Legal & Regulatory Development. The consultant shall examine the robustness and the transparency of current administrative procedures governing the DNA for the CDM, including national project approval criteria and screening processes, and other legal and legislative issues associated with approval processes, such as EIA and related permitting. The consultant shall examine relevant laws, regulations, and strategic plans governing the priority sectors for which CDM potential has been identified (e.g., energy, forestry, waste management, agro-processing and biofuels, construction). What are the current laws and regulations governing grid feed-in?
- Investment Promotion. The consultant shall assess institutional barriers to CDM investment and propose recommendations for overcoming these barriers. For example, are current institutional capacities (especially, DNA and key line ministries) adequate to promote CDM investments and are key operational roles in the CDM clearly understood by various stakeholders? How can institutional capacity best be enhanced? The consultant shall review current taxation treatment of CER or VER revenue streams, and recommend options for the potential abatement/exemption as a way to incentive investment in the carbon sector
- Sectoral CDM Scoping. An analysis of the carbon investment potential of each priority sector in Mauritius, the barriers currently preventing the potential from being realised, and constructive solutions to addressing these barriers. Analysis of how cost-competitive these sectors are in the context of the global carbon market. Scoping should reflect a stakeholder consultation on the economic sectors already identified as strategic priorities of the Government, as well as existing commitments or intentions to integrate CDM into sectoral development planning.
- Human Resource Development
What types of HRD strategies should be put in place to enable the creation of qualified manpower and to boost up CDM as an important investment thrust. Can Mauritius become an exporter of CDM expertise to other countries in Africa and to the rest of the world? What should be catalyzed and what specific training needs should to be identified which may be introduced as core modules at Tertiary level. What types of support services for carbon offset projects could be cultivated in Mauritius? Examples include the financial sector (as a source of loans), the accountancy and auditing sector, the legal sector (for negotiation of emissions contracts, for example) and the consultancy sector(e.g. specialized consultancies in CDM-related risk management) What is the level of awareness and technical understanding of the CDM in each enabling sector? What centres of academic and consultancy expertise in carbon finance exist or are interested in playing an increased role? | Competencies | The National CDM Strategy is intended to provide a rigorous but succinct overview of carbon finance in Mauritius, above all providing practical policy guidance for establishing a sound ‘enabling environment and investment climate for establishing a flourishing carbon sector. The consultant houl dhave core competencies that will allow recommendations concerning near, medium, and long-term actions. Core competencies should cover the following elements: -
- Structure and financing of the Mauritius DNA
- Facilitating roles of government in CDM project identification and implementation
- How to mainstream CDM into sectoral planning and investment promotion more generally
- Measures to promote small scale CDM project activities, bundling of projects and programmatic CDM projects
- Legal and regulatory reforms and supplementary financial mechanisms to stimulate the development of CDM projects – including possible reforms relating to access to the national grid by independent power producers
- Measures to maximize the ‘development dividend’ of the CDM for Mauritius
- Capacity building needs of the Government, project developers, the financial sector and other local stakeholders
- Creation of a conducive environment for a fruitful dialogue between and sellers and buyers
| Required Skills and Experience | - Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject, such as environmental science, environmental law and policy, energy, economics, business, engineering, natural resource management or similar.
- At least 7 years of relevant professional experience.
- Proven track record of results-oriented working, ideally with prior consultancy experience. Experience in developing CDM strategies is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated solid knowledge of climate change issues, principally mitigation measures and the Clean Development Mechanism. Thorough understanding of how the CDM operates, at both an institutional and project level.
- Demonstrated knowledge of carbon finance issues in Africa and/or Small Island Developing States: certainly in Mauritius and ideally in other countries in southern / eastern Africa.
- Full computer literacy and fluency in English – both written and spoken – are essential. Fluency in French and/or Creole is highly desirable.
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