Oxfam is recruiting for a Research Study on Pathways for Decarbonization in the Mining Sector in Southern Africa (m/f), to be based in Maputo, Mozambique.
Description
- Climate change is real and a serious threat that requires substantial effort to address. The 21st century is likely to experience exceedance in global average temperature in Southern Africa with an increase of 3.4 - 4.20C under high emissions scenario (IPCC AR5). According to (IPCC 2018) projections the call to limit global warming to 1.5 °C will require reaching 80% zero-emission energy by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The quest to meet the Paris Agreement goal—to limit global warming to 2°C—remains a highly contested and complex ambition. This requires reduction in about 470 gigatons (Gt) cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 (IPCC 2018). The mining sector is known to be a substantial source of carbon emissions. Globally the sector’s emission contribution is estimated to be around 1Gt carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per annum (Anglo-American 2020). Findings from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), indicate that half of worldwide industrial greenhouse gas emissions could be traced back to just 50 companies (referred to as carbon majors) working in heavy fossil fuel industries. The companies involved in coal extraction, are ranked highest on the list. In the region South Africa produce in excess of 255 million tonnes per annum (DMR ,2020), Zimbabwe is well known to have nearly 553 million tons (MMst) of proven coal reserves, Botswana as well known to have huge coal deposits of about 212 billion tonnes. The climate policy imperatives have thus ignited a fundamental shift towards lower-carbon innovations, technologies, and pathways across various sector among which includes the mining sector is key
- Emerging mega investments particularly from China have been witnessed in these countries presenting the climate agenda on the crossroads with perceived strategies of a low carbon future agenda. These strategies include leveraging on new technologies and innovations to add renewables to electricity supply, improving mining processes, switching from fossil fuels to renewable fuels. reducing waste, and optimizing transportation. Mining companies need to evaluate these options internally and choose the most beneficial and cost-effective approach for their unique circumstances, but every plan must have an appropriate target as well as public disclosure of progress
- Overall objective: This research study is supposed to discuss the behavioural, policy, technological, and regulatory changes needed to drive the mining industry’s carbon reductions in the region
Duties
- Scope of Work: The consultant(s) will be expected to accomplish the following tasks:
- What are the specific pathways for decarbonising the mining sector in Southern Africa?
- Assess the readiness for carbon disclosure of significant mining companies operating in the region. Important to use case studies of companies in at least two SADC countries
- What are the behavioural, technological, economic, political and policy barriers for carbon reductions in the mining industry? What is the critique and history of reform and intervention efforts for decarbonisation? How does this history affect stakeholder perceptions and practice?
- Who are the most influential actors and stakeholders in the decarbonisation discourse? What are the formal/informal roles of these players and how has it affected policy and practice in the mining sector in general sector?
- What are the values, capabilities and incentives structuring the state and its apparatus, leadership, private sector, academia and other players when it comes to decarbonisation?
- What are the ideas, lessons and strategies for enhancing a favourable policy and regulatory environment for shaping the mining sectors’ low carbon future trajectory?
Deliverables
- An expression of interest indicating how the consultants propose to carry out the tasks with timelines, the methodologies, the rationale, budget and expected results
- Draft report that will be shared with the contracting authority
- The Final Research Report
Requisites
- Skills and Experience: The study shall be carried out by consultant (s) that shall have the following skills and competencies:
- At least a master’s degree Economics, Law, Social Science, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Development Studies, Economics or other relevant disciplines
Notes
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
- Timeframe: 35 days
- Budget: A maximum budget of 18,000USD is the ceiling for proposals
How to Apply
1. Documentation
- Consultants who meet the requirements of this assignment should submit Expression of Interest of a maximum of five pages which should include the following:
- Suitability statement that express commitment to availability for the entire period of the assignment
- Brief statement on the proposed methodology including a detailed work plan
- Updated curriculum vitae of the consultant clearly spelling out the relevant qualifications and experiences
- Contacts of references that have recently contracted the consultant (s) to carry out similar tasks
- Financial proposal with daily costs per activity which shall be part of the 5 pages
2. Application
- Send your Documentation to vacancies@oxfam.org with the Subject line “Research Study on Pathways for Decarbonization in the Mining Sector in Southern Africa”