International Consultant: Low Carbon Development Advisor

The Republic of Kazakhstan has entered into obligations on implementation the tasks and integration of the principle of global UN Conventions (Rio-de-Janeiro, 1992) and the declaration of the Millennium Summit (New York, 2000) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002).
 
The Concept on the Transition of Kazakhstan to Sustanable Development for 2007-2024 was approved according to the Decree of the Head of the state. A new program on the development of Kazakhstan – the Development Strategy of Kazakhstan till 2030 - was developed on instructions from the President of RK, in accordance with international obligations of the country that signed the Action Programme on the transition of the world community to sustainable development - Agenda XXI. The Concept on Sustanable Development and the Development Strategy of Kazakhstan till 2030 are closely interconnected. The primary goal of the Concept is definition of the priorities for integration and harmonization of sustainable development principles in the processes of national economy management through removal of interdepartmental barriers and development of partners’ relations to improve the living standarsds of the present and future generations of Kazakhstan people.
 
The most important results in the field of transition to sustainable development were achieved recently. In relation to sustainable development, the Mid-term Governmental Programme was developed, Kazakhstan acceded to a number of actual international environmental conventions, realization of full-scale and practical environmental projects was started, the Council on Sustainable Development (CSD) of the Republic of Kazakhstan was created, and the measures on integration of sustainable development principles in all state and branch programs are being taken. In 2007, an Ecological Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the first one in CIS countries - was adopted.
 
Kazakhstan has put a task to create the main ecological standards of sustainable development of the society by 2010. That means that strict modern requirements on environmental protection must be established in industry, construction and energy and transport branch. Such requirements and mechanisms of their realization were introduced in the developed countries in the end of the 1990-s. In the countries of the European Union they were introduced in accordance with the EU Directive on integrated prevention and control over environmental pollution (1996), and in the USA – according to the Law on Clean Air (1990.). The background of experience and analysis of current problems resulted in adoption of a new text of the Directive by EU in 2008.
 
The transition to sustainable development is also a determining necessity for the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of entering the number of 50 competitive countries of the world in accordance with the Message of the President of RK. The Project secures assistance in implementation of the Concept on the Transition of RK to Sustainable Development for 2007-2024 that will allow supporting the efforts of the Republic of Kazakhstan in realization of the tasks, trends and mechanisms of the transition to sustaibnable development that in turn, will allow fulfilling the joint tasks of CSD of RK, the Government of RK, UNDP and other partners within the framework of the transition of Kazakhstan to sustaibnable development. However, at present, the economic growth of Kazakhstan occurs basically due to growing prices for raw material at the world markets and use of considerable amount of natural resource disregarding the need in introduction of low-carbon development requirements. Great losses and degradation of the natural capital are of progressing nature. The increase of the gross domestic product is accompanied by great emissions into the environment. According to the available data, about 75% of the territory of the country are exposed to high risk of ecological destabilization, and the changes in the policy should be developed in close connection with the adaptive measures, since the consequences of the climate change, probably, will result in aggravation of the water-supply and the water quality, in reduction of productivity in agriculture and in aggravation of human health. Unless well-timed adaptive actions have been undertaken, any attempts to achieve millennium development goals, probably, will lead to realization of inefficient and unstable measures, when social-economic disproportions such as unappropriate financial allocation promising limited success from the point of view of a long-term benefit, will continue taking place.
 
In May 1995, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was ratified in Kazakhstan, and in April 2009, the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention (hereinafter – the Kyoto Protocol or KP) was ratified. On September 17, Kazakhstan will become an official Party to KP. So, having acceded to the international movement on prevention of global climate change, Kazakhstan started its intensive activity on fulfillment the requirements under UNFCCC and KP on the national level. At present, an issue on entering the number of the countries, which acceded to Annex B under KP with the base year 1992 and the requirement of pollution reduction by 100% is being considered in Kazakhstan. An issue on designation of a national body responsible for implementation of the committments within the framework of KP is being discussed in Kazakhstan. A Department on KP in charge of the issues on acceding to Annex B under KP and implementation of the committments on reduction of greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions, adopted within the framework of KP, and creation of necessary conditions for participation of Kazakhstan in international carbon markets was established under the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP.
 
This year Kazakhstan has finished its work on the Second National Communication to UNFCCC in the format of a country – a non-party to Annex 1 under UNFCCC. Last year, UNDP issued the National Report on Human Development (NRHD) on the subject of climate change and the impact on human development in Kazakhstan. At present, the work on preparation of a mid-term development strategy till 2020 and a number of the state programs of the development of economy branches, which will determine the trends and priorities of country development in the key economy branches being GHG emitter-sectors is being conducted. In connection with the committments adopted by Kazakhstan within the framework of KP the issues of low-carbon development and adaptation to climate change should be reflected in the strategic documents currently being prepared.
According to the Second National Communication to UNFCCC, in 2005 the total emissions of gases in Kazakhstan with direct greenhouse effect constituted 243.2 million t in CO2 equivalent. The main source of emissions is the energy sector. The received data have shown availability of enormous potential of Kazakhstan for reduction of greenhouse emissions using the best available technology and reducing the energy capacity and carbon capacity of the economy, as well as improving its energy efficiency. According to the Second National Communication the level of HGH emissions in the energy sector will reach the level of 1992 by 2012-2014 already. If more efficient technologies of coal combustion are introduced in the energy sector, taking into account the growing demand for electric power, this threshold will be reached by 2024?. If policies and measure are taken, the total GHG emissions in relation to the base level may constitute more than 31 million t of CO2 by 2016 and 72 million t of CO2 by 2024.

The International Consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
 
1.    Undertake a desk review of all relevant documents for background information and initial situational analysis:

At a minimum, the following documents will be made available to the consultant:

• The concept of transition of Kazakhstan to sustainable development in 2007-2024;
• Strategy Kazakhstan 2030;
• Environmental code of RK;
• Strategic plan for development of the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 2020;
• National poverty reduction strategy/development strategy: for information on adaptation-relevant priorities and economic investments;
• Second National Communication;
• Human Development Report on climate change impact on human development;
• Sectoral strategies and policy documents (which sector has mitigation potential);
• Draft State programme for accelerated industrial development till 2020;
• Draft State programme on Ecology of Kazakhstan till 2020;
• Relevant ongoing and planned projects and programmes. 

2.  Draft the concept paper outlining the Kazakhstan’s strategic shift to a low-carbon (carbon neutral) and specific recommendations to each of the development strategy or plan identified as affecting the carbon neutral development. Recent developments in regard to the mitigation commitments, MRV and requirements for low carbon development under the ongoing international climate change negotiations should be considered.

3.   Upon endorsement of the concept by the relevant UNDP and Government officials, develop a proposal on Low Carbon Development Strategy for Kazakhstan ( not less than 30 pages) with the analysis of opportunities to coordinate social and economic development, guarantee energy security and respond to climate change. The report should make suggestions on the development pathway for Kazakhstan that ensures high energy efficiency, low energy consumption and low emissions. The efficiency of energy exploration, generation, transmission and use should be reviewed with a view on how to decrease carbon intensity in energy supply for economic growth, as well as considering carbon sinks, emissions trading mechanisms, and CCS opportunities. International practises should be taken into account as well, e.g. United Kingdom, or other developed country experience in the field.
 
4.  The International Consultant must also be prepared to:

• Undertake field missions in the country;
• Ensure that all relevant national stakeholders are consulted during preparation of recommendations, in order to understand: a) national development priorities and policies that are likely to lead to high or low GHG emissions; b) the national procedures for approval of strategies and plans; c) whether the proposed mitigation solutions have been tried before, and which are the barriers to implementing/scaling up; d) how the project will complement, reinforce and build on existing investments; and e) the role of the carbon market mechanisms.
• Take responsibility for ensuring that the recommendations meets the UNDP’s quality standards; and
  Finalize the recommendations, including addressing comment and input from relevant stakeholders, with support from the CO, Regional Programme Analyst and RTA.

Technical work

• Thorough understanding of national policies and programmes, as they relate to climate change mitigation and development.
• Demonstrated knowledge, analytical skills and relevant experience in climate change.
• Sound, practical understanding of market economics and how regulatory and fiscal policies can help to reduce GHG emissions.
• Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into a coherent project document.

Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors.
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports. 

Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Good team player, self starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships

Education

• Masters degree in energy, economics, development, or a closely related field. Technical knowledge of the implications of climate change on development, finance, environment and other relevant fields is critical.

Experience

• A minimum of 10 years relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated solid knowledge of climate change mitigation and development.
• Demonstrated experience in project development, implementation or management.
• Experience in the policy development process associated with environment, climate change and sustainable development an asset.
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of English including writing and communication skills,
• Excellent knowledge of Russian including writing and communication skills,
• Experience of work in Annex I countries, or countries in Central Asia would be an asset.