Climate Change and Waste Expert

   USAID Vietnam Urban Energy Security

 SCOPE OF WORK

Activity: Prepare readiness for waste-to-energy (W-t-E) project investors to participate in carbon market and access climate finance

Position: Climate change and Waste Expert

Level of Effort: 60 days

Period of Performance: early December – September 30, 2023

Base of Operation: Hanoi / HCMC (with possible in-country travel)

Background

Vietnam Urban Energy Security (the Project) is a 4-year, USAID-funded activity that addresses the problems of growing energy demand and air pollution from large coal projects and current urban energy practices in Vietnam. The Project supports cities to take advantage of: 1) the technological advancements and cost reductions of advanced, distributed energy solutions such as rooftop solar, battery storage, and demand response; 2) cleaner forms of transport; 3) energy efficiency and modern energy technologies for municipal services; and 4) business opportunities for local entrepreneurs in deploying distributed energy systems and services.

Under the Work program of Year 3, the Project will provide technical support to DONRE Ho Chi Minh city and private sector to understand about carbon market, climate finance and carbon management.

The revised Law on Environmental Protection (LEP 2020), promulgated in 2020, is the legal basis for the development of the domestic carbon market. Carbon pricing instruments will be an important part of Vietnam's policy structure to achieve the target of NDC 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. Decree 06/2022 issued on GHG emissions mitigation and ozone layer protection have established a number of foundational elements for the functioning of the carbon market in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government is expected to pilot a carbon exchange from 2026 before starting full operation in 2028. In which the national credit program will focus on piloting credit-generating activities only in the solid waste sector from 2024.

Within the framework of this activity, the Project will provide technical support to the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) to review the current status of waste incineration projects in HCMC, consulting with MONRE on the national credit program for waste sector and propose methods and approaches to participate in the international carbon market in order to mobilize climate finance for W-t-E project developers in Ho Chi Minh City. The Project will also provide technical support to DONRE and private sector to comply with current regulation on carbon management and GHG reporting as per the LEP 2020.

Scope of work

The consultant will work together with the Project’s Carbon Market Specialist to conduct the following two main workstreams:

Workstream 1:

• Prepare training materials and provide one-day training on crediting mechanism, GHG inventory and MRV system for stakeholders in waste sector (including DONRE and private sector)
• Develop the training report upon the completion of the training.

Workstream 2:

• Conduct desk research and review the status/implementation plan of solid waste treatment and W-t-E projects in HCMC;
• Review potential credit mechanisms suitable for the solid waste sector, including domestic, international, and voluntary credit mechanisms.
• Review technical, legal, institutional, and financial gaps for W-t-E projects participating in the national crediting mechanism and the international carbon market.
• Consult stakeholders and review the status /implementation plan of solid waste treatment and W-t-E projects in HCMC;
• Consult with government agencies (mostly MONRE and MOF), local authorities, private sector on status/implementation plan of solid waste treatment, the design of the domestic crediting mechanism and the possibility of generating carbon credits for W-t-E in Ho Chi Minh City;
• Review potential crediting mechanisms suitable for the solid waste sector, including domestic, international, and voluntary crediting mechanisms.
• Assess technical, legal, institutional, and financial gaps for W-t-E project developers to participate in the national crediting mechanism and the international carbon market;
• Select an appropriate W-t-E site and develop a crediting methodology for selected site including baseline development and MRV system for GHG emission reduction in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and Vietnam's commitments.
• Develop a report on technical, legal, institutional, and financial barriers to W-t-E projects participating in the national credit mechanism and international carbon market including recommendation of a potential credit mechanism appropriate to the context of HCMC for a specific case study.

Expected Deliverables and Timelines:

Throughout the assignment, the consultant team is expected to provide regular progress updates. Outlines of deliverables should be submitted to the Project for comment and approval before developing the reports and preparing drafts. Additionally, the Consultant should provide information regarding interviews held, including interview notes, minutes of meeting, workshops notes, etc.

All documents will be provided to the Project within the agreed time frames, with one electronic copy in the following formats (where appropriate):

• PDF
• Original work files (Word, PPT, Excel, etc.).
• Videos, photographs or any other relevant material

Electronic materials should be provided via e-mail, assuming their format and size allows for this. Otherwise, electronic copies will be provided to the Project by CD, DVD or USB. All communication will be in English (written and verbally).

Progress Reporting:

The Consultant will report to the Component 1 and the Component 2 Leads. The reports will be reviewed and approved by both the Project and DONRE. Regular (weekly) progress updates may be through in-person meetings and/or through conference calls and/ or via written updates from the Consultant.

Qualification requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in environmental sciences and/or Environmental Technology, Climate change, Sustainable development.
• Extensive experience working with city stakeholders in the relevant fields, preferably DONRE, W-t-E developers.
• Extensive experience in solid waste management and urban planning, environmental planning, environment assessment.
• Familiarity with Vietnam’s political economy and low-carbon development strategy, including climate change and related policies in waste sector, regulatory and institutional environment, and previous carbon market experience.
• Understanding of challenges and requirements related to and experience in the development and implementation of Monitoring/Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), and GHG data management systems for waste sector.
• Proven capacity in designing and carrying out trainings related to MRV and GHG inventory for waste stakeholders.
• Experience in performing contracts for international organizations.
• Proficiency in English and Vietnamese.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should send their CVs and Cover Letters detailing their relevant experience and information to [email protected].

Deadlines for submission: November 28, 2022.

DAI Organization and Values

• DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
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