Procurement Notices

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Description of the Assignment:National Consultant on Climate Change Mitigation Actions and Projections

Project Name : PIMS 5266: Support for the Preparation of the Turkey's First Biennial Report (FBR) to UNFCCC

Period of Assignment/Services:04 September 2015 – 04 December 2015

Proposal should be submitted by email to ic.proposal@undp.org.tr no later than 4 September 2015, COB.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the address or e-mail indicated above. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants

1  BACKGROUND

Situation Analysis:

Climate change is a global human development challenge which is threatening sustainability of ecosystems and brings about serious economic and social challenges for billions of people and nations around the world. Turkey is not an exception, and is a country highly vulnerable to climate change.

IPCC report makes it clear that future climate change could critically undermine efforts for sustainable development throughout the world and especially in the Mediterranean Basin. Climate change will have significant impacts on water resources which are   already under high stress. Turkey is bordered by seas on three sides with 8,333 km coastal zone and 70% of industries are located at coastal zones. Turkey has exceptionally rich wetlands and biological diversity. Being an important economic and social sector in Turkey, agriculture will require special attention, since the studies show that it is one of the most vulnerable sector to climate change.

When the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992, as an OECD member Turkey was included among the Annex I and Annex II countries which bear most of the burden of the commitments made under the agreement. However, it did not engage actively in Convention implementation until 2001, following negotiations which resulted in the other UNFCCC parties agreeing that Turkey’s “special circumstances” should be recognized and that it could invoke the “common but differentiated responsibilities” principle under the Convention. Turkey acceded to UNFCCC in May 2004, following the decision taken during 7th Conference of the Parties (COP-7) held in Marrakesh in 2001 recognizing its special circumstances in Annex I and deleting its name from Annex II and invites the Parties to recognize the special circumstances of Turkey, which place Turkey, after becoming a Party, in a situation different from that of other Parties included in Annex I to the Convention. As per the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Decision (5 February 2009), Turkey agreed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. However, when Kyoto Protocol was adopted, Turkey was not in Annex-B as it was not a Party to the UNFCCC, thus it won’t have any quantified emission reduction or limitation commitments.

Although Turkey’s economies and GHG emissions have been growing Turkey didn’t have  historical responsibility on GHG emissions accumulated in the atmosphere nor was its industrialization level comparable with that of other Annex-I countries. In this context, it is of utmost importance for Turkey to continue its sustainable economic development. Turkey’s GHG emissions are expected to increase in the foreseeable future.

Turkey’s level of industrialization is not yet comparable to that of OECD & UNFCCC Annex-I countries. Turkey has the lowest per capita emission and lowest cumulative emission figures amongst the OECD & UNFCCC Annex-I countries. Turkey has the lowest per capita primary energy consumption figures compared to OECD and Annex-I countries. The need for optimum use of domestic resources constitutes one of the main components of the national energy policy.

As it is indicated in Turkey's 10th Development Plan (2014 - 2018) rapid population increase, urbanization, economic activities, diversified consumption patterns increase the pressure on environment and natural resources. Environmental pollution, climate change, desertification, deforestation, water scarcity and problems caused by global warming remain on the global agenda. Development policies in Turkey show a progress towards development. Turkey contributes to the solutions of global environmental problems under the “common but differentiated responsibilities” and “respective capabilities ” with an understanding of the country realities.

As a party to the UNFCCC, Turkey attaches importance to the implementation of measures and policies to mitigate GHG emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In spite of its increasing population, rapidly growing economy and energy demand; Turkey is determined to reduce the GHG emissions on the basis of a convenient base year. Although Turkey does not have any quantitative reduction commitments, comprehensive efforts in all sectors have been launched. Although Turkey’s engagement on climate change issues extends back to the early 1990s, the first National Greenhouse Gas Emissions was submitted in 2006 to the UNFCCC Secretariat; the First National Communication to the UNFCCC was submitted in January 2007. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory is being prepared annually and the latest Greenhouse Gas inventory was submitted in 2014.  2012 National GHG inventory report and CFR tables were officially submitted to UNFCCC Secretariat on 15th April 2014. Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) is responsible for compilation of greenhouse gas emission inventory as a single national entity TurkStat. The inventory preparation is a joint work of GHG emission inventory working group which is set up by decision of the Coordination Board on Climate Change and Air Management. TurkStat is the responsible from the coordination of working group. Moreover, TurkStat is also the National Inventory focal point of UNFCCC.

The main institutions involved in GHG inventory;

• Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat),(Environment, Energy and Transport Statistics Department)
• Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MFAL), (General Directorate of Agrarian Reform) 
• Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs (MoFWA), (General Directorate of Forest)
• Ministry of Environment and Urbanization (MoEU), (General Directorate of Environmental Management)
• Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications (MTMAC), (General Directorate of Foreign Affairs and European Union)
• Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), (General Directorate of Energy Affairs)

GHG inventory will be overviewed, analyzed and assessed under the assistance of short term expert . Also capacity building activities for the improvement of GHG inventory, this is necessary especially for  quality control/quality assurance and decrease the uncertainties of the GHG inventory. 2012 National GHG Inventory will be subjected to in country review by UN Climate Change Secretariat in September 2014.

Consideration is now being given to the preparation of a National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, covering mitigation and adaptation, as called for in the 9th National Development Plan (2007-13). Also, a nationwide adaptation strategy was prepared under the Enhancing Turkey’s Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change project.

Responsibility for climate policy development, co-ordination, and preparation of national reports under the UNFCCC is vested in MoEU, which serves as the National Focal Point for Turkey under the Convention. Other governmental entities are looked to contributions with research, programme initiatives and communication, which are to be further expanded and elaborated as Turkey’s strategy on climate change is developed and implemented. These include the Ministry of Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Health and Turkish Statistical Institute.

Public participation in climate change policy and implementation was provided through an inter-ministerial Coordination Board on Climate Change established in 2001  and being restructured in 2013, Coordination Board on Climate Change was renamed as Coordination Board on Climate Change and Air Management (CBCCAM) with representation from domestic NGOs, industry and academia. Turkish environmental NGOs have expressed satisfaction with the degree of their participation in preparing the National Communication on Climate Change.

Since 2002 UNDP supports Turkey in focusing assistance towards compliance with international conventions, aiming at capacity development to implement global environmental conventions primarily through UNDP/GEF (eight projects).

Project Strategy:

This project is addressing one of the main issues identified in the UNDCS Outcome 3: Strengthened policy formulation and implementation capacity for the protection of the environment and cultural heritage in line with sustainable development principles, taking into consideration climate change, including disaster management, with a special focus on gender perspective and UNDP Country Program Document (2010 - 2014), through Outcome 3: Strengthening policy formulation and implementation capacity for the protection of the environment, and cultural heritage in line with sustainable development principles and taking into consideration climate change and disaster management; Enhanced climate-resilient, pro-poor and gender-sensitive policies, institutions and programs are mainstreamed, developed and implemented at the national and local levels for strengthened  sustainable development (CP Output 3.1) National capacity for environmental efficiency and monitoring enhanced through improved data collection and information systems (CP Output 3.2) Strengthening capacities for National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan development and implementation with gender differentiated impacts (CP Output 3.4).

The overall strategy of Turkey, as a developing country, is to make its contribution to the global efforts in combating climate change while taking into account her national capacity and special circumstances. Turkey takes actively part in the negotiations for the post-2020 regime with a proper status that should reflect her socio-economic development level. In this framework, Turkey by being a party to Kyoto Protocol shell position herself to take part of the global action to combat climate change.

The outcome of the project is to assist the Republic of Turkey in implementation of obligations under UNFCCC by preparation of First Biennial Report (FBR) as well as to strengthen its technical and institutional capacities to help the government fulfill its commitments to the Convention.

Completion of the First NC enhanced the capacity of institutions, raised professional level of experts and decision makers, and improved the management and organization of work connected with the climate change. The preparation of the Fifth NC further strengthened these capacities and also provided opportunities for additional analysis and capacity building for Turkey in perspective of the post 2020 climate regime.  Furthermore, technical, political, legislative, economic and institutional analysis of the relevant sectors completed and will provide the baseline information to develop Turkey’s climate change road map for post 2020. The preparation of the First Biennial Report will further strengthen national capacities for technical reporting in line with BR guidelines, initiate the preparation of several NAMA concepts and enhance national capacities in MRV and sectoral assessments as well.

The project will provide links between climate change studies through the BR process to the wider national development agenda. The analysis will also combine necessary institutional framework in order to ensure consistency and sustainability of national communication process. To ensure stakeholders involvement and endorsement, the project will be implemented through multi-stakeholder consultations. This project is also aimed to cover the gaps that are identified during the UNFCCC In-Country Review of the National Communication.

The project consists of 7 components: 1. National circumstances reviewed and updated,  institutional arrangements  relevant to the preparation of the national communications and BR and level of support received to enable the preparation of the BR described; 2. National GHG Inventory for 2012 is reviewed and elaborated in line with BR requirements; 3. Mitigation actions and their effects, including associated methodologies and assumptions, and progress of implementation are described as per the guidelines; 4. Financial, technology and capacity building needs and support received described; 5. Domestic Measurement, Reporting and Verification  arrangements are supported; 6. Compilation, consolidation of information in tabular format and Publication of the First Biennial Report; 7. Monitoring, reporting, and preparing of financial audits.  In addition, public awareness activities and stakeholder consultations will be cross-cutting along the overall course of this exercise therefore, the preparation of the First Biennial Report is expected to enhance general awareness and knowledge on reporting requirements of UNFCCC for Turkey and help in to taking into account in the process of national planning and policy.

In addition, public awareness activities and stakeholder consultations will be cross-cutting along the overall course of this exercise therefore, the preparation of the FBR is expected to enhance general awareness and knowledge on climate change-related issues in Turkey and help into taking them into account in the process of national planning and policy.

Project Objective: The objective of the project is to assist the Republic of Turkey in implementation of obligations under UNFCCC by preparation of First Biennial Report.

For further details, please see Annex 1 (Terms of Reference). 

2  SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The objective of the assignment is to support the preparation of Turkey’s First Biennial Report (FBR) on Climate Change by providing support in filling in BR Table 2 on description of quantified economy-wide emission reduction target,  Table 3 on progress in achievement of the quantified economy-wide emission reduction target, Table 4 on progress in achievement of the quantified economy-wide emission reduction target, Table 5 on summary of key variables and assumptions used in the projections analysis, Table 6 on information on updated greenhouse gas projections under ‘with measures’, ‘without measures’ and ‘with additional measures’ scenarios.

For further details, please see Annex 1 (Terms of Reference). 

3  REGUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Please see Annex 1 (Terms of Reference).

4  DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

•      Financial Proposal (please see section 5, below and Annex 2)

•      Personal CV, including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

5   FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

The interested individual consultants must submit their financial proposals by following the guidance and the standard template provided in Annex 2. Any deviation from the standard text may lead to disqualification.

6  EVALUATION

The evaluation will be based on cumulative analysis (i.e. technical qualifications and price proposal). The weight of the technical criteria is 70%; the weight of the financial proposal is 30%. Candidates that obtain a minimum of 70 pts out of a maximum 100 pts will be considered for the financial evaluation. Candidates that do not meet the minimum requirements will be disqualified.

7  ANNEXES

The following annexes are an integral part of this procurement notice. In case of any conflict between the provisions of the Annex 3 and the procurement notice and/or Annex 1 and/or Annex 2, the provisions of Annex 3 are applicable.

•      Annex 1: Terms of Reference

•      Annex 2: Price Proposal Guideline and Template

•      Annex 3: General Conditions of Contract for Individual Consultants

•      Annex 4: Common Tabular Formats (CTFs) for the UNFCCC Biennial Reporting (BR) Guidelines - Tables 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (UNFCCC Decision 19/CP.18)