Position Title: International Consultant/Low-emission Development Activities
Type: Individual Contract (International)
Project Title/Department: Supporting Uzbekistan in transition to a low-emission development path/ Environment and Energy Unit
Duration of the service: 30 working days per calendar year 2011, during the period from June 15 to November 20
Duty station: Home-based with two missions to Tashkent
Expected travel site: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Reports to: Project Manager
Background
The recognition of the importance of low-emission development strategies (LEDS), which culminated in the Copenhagen Accord’s statement that they are “indispensable for sustainable development”, is a significant step towards implementing transition to low-carbon economic growth. Such strategies can act as catalysts to support the transition to low carbon economic development, resulting in sustained employment and investment growth, increased financial flows through carbon markets, reduced GHG emissions.
Uzbekistan is both one of the world’s largest producers of fossil fuels but pursuit of economic growth in the past has not fully considered the associated environment costs, in particular the rising levels of carbon emissions. Though Uzbekistan accounts for less than 0.5% of the total global anthropogenic emissions, the early signs of changing climate observed worldwide urge immediate action on the part of all countries within their “common but differentiated responsibilities”.
The recently introduced concept of Low-Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) provides a framework for countries to formulate their approaches to sustaining long-term national growth in the context of mitigation of further increases in greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to the irreversible climate change impacts.
Transition to a low-emission world will necessitate the transformation of entire economic sectors of Uzbekistan. Significant and cost-effective emission reductions in a post-2012 framework will require a mix of policy instruments. Clean technologies, renewable energies, water services, green transportation, waste management, green buildings and sustainable agriculture and forests, climate change policies and measures need to be routinely considered as part of development, poverty reduction and sectoral strategies, policies and measures.
A very high priority for UNDP as an implementing agency with a climate and development mandate is to develop capacities of the countries to formulate, access finance and implement LEDS.
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