Project Title Technical Assistance for the Development of a Philippine National Policy and Action Plan on Marine Litter Overview The Philippines is an archipelago situated in the apex of the Coral Triangle, which is a global epicenter of marine biodiversity, with diverse coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove and beach forests, fisheries, invertebrates, seaweeds, and marine mammals. It is considered as one of the seventeen mega-diverse countries in the world and its waters have been identified as the “center of centers” of marine shore fish biodiversity because there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the country than anywhere in the regions of the world. Marine litter is one of the most pressing threats to the coastal and marine environment in the Philippines and globally, in addition to climate change and unsustainable fishing. The Philippines has been ranked as the third largest source of plastic that ends up in the ocean, according to the 2015 study done by Jenna Jambeck of the University of Georgia and cited as a reference for the report by the Ocean Conservancy charity and the McKinsey Centre for Business and Environment. Estimates show that the country generates 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, where 20 per cent leaks into the oceans. This poses serious impacts on the coral reefs, marine life, and millions of Filipinos relying on its seas and coasts for produce and livelihood. The Philippines passed relevant laws such as Clean Water Act of 2004, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act No. 9003 of 2002, Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Presidential Decree: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System of 1978, and other enabling policies. However, stronger enforcement and harmonization of these existing laws is needed. Given its impact on marine and coastal environmental quality, human-being, economic activity, and its transboundary nature, marine litter has become a global issue and has been the focus of international discourse. The Philippines has been part of the global and regional discussions on marine litter, including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), ASEAN, among others. Considering the urgency of the issue, the Philippines, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is spearheading the development of a National Policy and Action Plan on Marine Plastic Litter to contribute in addressing marine pollution and further strengthen its efforts at national level, in alignment with international frameworks. The DENR has requested UNDP for technical assistance to formulate the National Policy and Action (NPOA) Plan on Marine Litter. UNDP is also developing its country strategy on Circular Economy to support the implementation of the NPOA on Marine Litter and accelerate efforts towards a circular economy. UNDP is engaging a National Consultant to conduct the stocktaking of initiatives of various stakeholders, including the Government and private sector, that contribute to addressing the waste issue, including plastics, and pursuing a circular economy. The stocktaking initiative will serve as an input to the formulation of the NPOA on Marine Litter, inform UNDP’s strategy and will form part of UNDP’s online platform that would enable sharing of initiatives and linking of stakeholders. Institutional Arrangement The Climate Action Outcome Lead and Marine Litter Coordinator shall directly supervise the Consultant. The Consultant is expected to work closely with the UNDP Marine Litter Team and DENR and engage with various stakeholders. As needed, UNDP shall provide logistical assistance to the Consultant in order for her/him to accomplish enumerated outputs. Duration of Work The expected duration of work is estimated to be 48 working daysspread over four (4) months. Duty Station The Consultant is not expected to report on a daily basis to UNDP Philippines office based in Mandaluyong City but shall be available on an on-call basis. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments Deliverables/ Outputs | Estimated Duration to Complete | Target Due Dates | 1st tranche (20%) - Upon submission and acceptance of work plan and methodology for the stocktaking exercise and analysis of initiatives of the Government and Private Sector
| 2 days | October 2019 | 2nd tranche (40%) Upon completion of: - Desk review, including review of relevant policies, programmes, initiatives, and case studies on private sector and Government efforts in addressing the waste issue
- Development of survey questionnaire and conduct of survey with businesses, including MSMEs, and focus group discussions/interviews
- Assistance in the development of template for the database
- Processing of data gathered and presentation during a validation workshop
| 20 days | November 2019 | 3rd tranche (20%) - Upon submission and acceptance of stocktaking report that provides analysis of the initiatives and recommendations
- Presentation of final output at the Private Sector Forum
| 8 days | December 2019 | 4th tranche (20%) Upon provision of inputs to the NPOA on Marine Litter and the Circular Economy Strategy and submission and acceptance of report summarizing tasks done, including technical advice | 6 days | January 2020 |
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