Environment and Sustainable Energy - National Consultant

South Sudan is a young country which is well endowed with agricultural and fertile arable land, a huge population of globally important and endangered wildlife species and has 6 legally created national parks and 13 game reserves covering 11.1% of the total land area, abundant forestry (covering 29% of total land area with annual deforestation rate of 2%) and water resources (including permanent Sudd wetlands which make up to 5% of the total land area of the country) and potential presence of precious minerals of high value. It has an area of approximately 640,000 km2 and is situated in the Nile Catchment area. The lowest part of the basin forms one of the world’s largest swamp, the Sudd Wetland along with other smaller wetlands. Rainfall is seasonal causing seasonal flooding of flood plains and determine land use patterns of cultivation, livestock grazing and fisheries.  The last population Census carried out in 2008 estimated the country’s population at 8.2 million with an annual population growth rate of 2.2 percent. Recent estimates indicate a population of around 11.91 million in 2014 with more than 70 percent of the population being under 30 years of age (World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics). Most of the country is covered with natural and semi-natural vegetation with a variable tree density. The dominant land use pattern is livestock keeping practice all over the country particularly in the dry areas which have better grass quality and lower livestock parasitic occurrence. The forests are an important source of food for livestock, timber, fuel wood, charcoal and a varied list of Non-Timber based forest produce (NTFPs), including food plants, medicines and bush meat. Agricultural production takes place on a relatively small proportion of the land. Even though land is abundant, the area which is under cultivation is estimated to be less than 4% and is rain fed. Sorghum (69%) and maize (27%) are the dominant crops. Up to 95 percent of the country’s population depends on farming, fishing or herding to meet their food and income needs. The country largely depends on fuel based power sources including generators for electricity and does not have any electric grid. Renewable energy options are limited in scale and scope and are an important growth area for the future.

Climate Change has been identified as one of the most important threats to the development of South Sudan. Studies estimate that temperature rise in the country will be two and a half times higher than the global average with the weather expected to become substantially warmer and drier. Anticipated weather pattern changes are inter-alia estimated to lower crop yields by an estimated 20%, result in increased risks of floods and droughts, exacerbate risks of pests, disease outbreaks and inter-communal conflicts around natural resources access and control. Cumulatively, climate change impacts are expected to worsen existing household vulnerabilities and resort to adverse coping mechanisms. Whilst the country remains highly vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change, it is least prepared to engage on critical adaptation and mitigation needs.

Clean and renewable energy solutions lie at the heart of South Sudan’s pursuit of sustainable development. Currently, the economy has near complete dependence on carbon fuels including diesel generators, batteries, charcoal, and wood fuel, leading to rapid deforestation of the countries extensive forest reserves. Deforestation affects the provision of ecosystem services, economic services and disrupts the carbon sink functions of the absorption of greenhouse gases. Despite rapid deforestation, there are practically no substantive initiatives underway to transform the country towards green sources of energy. Through developing inclusive and green growth strategies, South Sudan has an opportunity to make a leap forward as it enjoys the ‘late comer’ advantage by learning from the growth experiences of countries in analogous contexts and powering its productive activities from clean energy sources. Lack of energy access and gender inequalities (with women having the sole responsibilities for meeting household energy needs) affect women’s participation in economic activities. Women’s differing energy needs and position in accessing energy sources can be addressed by a de-centralized approach to renewable energy services.

South Sudan as a young nation has a historic opportunity to make a quantum jump in crafting sustainable economic development strategies whilst minimizing adverse environmental impacts. UNDP South Sudan currently supporting the Government of South Sudan in the implementation of the Protected Area Network Management and Building Capacity in Post-Conflict Southern Sudan, as well as broader areas of disaster risk reduction and linked climate change adaptation activities. The Human Development and Inclusive Growth Unit (HDIGU) is seeking service of qualified national consultant to provide high quality technical inputs and coordination support on emerging priority areas on environmental issues to the Government of South Sudan.