Extractive Industries Special Consultant

Result of Service The work of the Consultant will benefit members of ESCAP to better understand and respond to the impact of the energy transition on critical minerals and trade.

Expected results:

a) Comprehensive Policy Study on Implications of the Energy Transition on Critical Minerals and Trade in the Asia-Pacific produced and delivered. b) Action plan for ESCAP on the extractives industry produced and delivered c) Support organization of at least two meetings

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 11 April - 31 December 2022

Duties and Responsibilities The transition to sustainable energy systems is creating a set of pressures that has profound implications for economies in general and for extractive industries in particular. Extractive industries are those that are involved in the extraction, processing, and utilization of raw materials from the earth including fossil fuels, minerals and rare earth metals. note: https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/suc2012d1_en.pdf

Continued extraction of fossil fuels at current levels is not compatible with global climate change goals such as the Paris Agreement, but solutions exist to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the sustainability of extractive industries. Producing countries, such as those that rely heavily on coal mining, will need to adopt new and cleaner practices and technologies, enforce stricter environmental regulations, and reduce the overall environmental impact of extractive industries. Such a transition must be undertaken in a manner that leads to a net improvement for their work force and economies.

To better understand the implications of the energy transition on the extractive industries sector, ESCAP organised an expert roundtable in February 2021 which brought together high-level representatives from governments, intergovernmental institutions, the private sector, non-profits, and academia to examine the future of the extractive industries sector in the context of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. note: https://www.unescap.org/events/2021/roundtable-extractive-industries-sustainable-development-and-2030-agenda

In May 2021, a global roundtable was organised where messages from the Asia-Pacific roundtable were highlighted. note: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/financing-development/global-roundtable-on-extractive-industries

Following on from the discussion and findings of these roundtables, ESCAP is continuing to investigate the potential implications of the energy transition on countries in Asia and the Pacific. Future work by ESCAP on this topic will be guided by three main principles.

• First, ESCAP member States must be sufficiently prepared for the impacts of the energy transition on the extractive industries.
• Second, it is critical that producing countries improve the environmental and economic sustainability of the extractive industries, so that increased demand does not lead to increased environmental degradation and inequality.
• Third, the future direction for both producing and consuming countries must be towards circularity, to ensure long term environmental and economic sustainability.

All of this will require additional analysis of the implications of the transition to net-zero economies on Asia-Pacific countries, targeted policy advice, and capacity building aimed at national, sub-regional, and regional stakeholders. Therefore, Energy Division is seeking to engage a special consultant to support and guide ESCAP’s work on the implications of the energy transition and the extractive industries in the Asia-Pacific Region. The work of this consultant will build off existing and ongoing work by ESCAP on this topic, including the background paper prepared for the regional Roundtable, the findings of the ESCAP report “Coal Phase-out and Energy Transition Pathways for Asia and the Pacific”, and ongoing work on role of natural gas in the energy transition. Emphasis will be placed on areas of clear relevance to the Asia-Pacific region, including but not limited to ensuring a just and inclusive transition as countries phase out the use of coal, critical minerals and the future role of Asia as a global hub for the production of batteries for energy storage and Electric Vehicles (EVs).

Objective:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Section, Energy Division and the overall supervision of the Director of the Division, the Consultant will provide advisory services and technical support to member States by assessing and helping design policy responses supporting the energy transition. This will include a focus on implications of the energy transition on the demand for critical minerals and other inputs necessary to manufacture modern renewable energy systems, batteries and other energy devices. The Consultant will prepare analytical reports, collect data, help conduct capacity building activities and provide specific advice to member States as to how to address the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in particular the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The Consultant will undertake the following.

1. Develop and provide a comprehensive policy study focusing on the Asia-Pacific region that analyses the implications of the energy transition on the extractive industries sector. This paper should address, at a minimum, the following questions: a. What are the implications of the energy transition for countries that currently or could potentially extract and export critical minerals? b. What best practice policies and regulations can be implemented to reduce the environmental impact and improve the governance of the extractive industries sector? c. What is the role of ESCAP and other entities in enabling the just, equitable, and sustainable development of the extractives industry in the Asia-Pacific region?

2. Develop and provide an action plan for ESCAP to support and guide its work on the extractive industries.

3. Support the organization of, and contribute to meetings, workshops, and other events, including a. Contribute to development of meeting agendas b. Support outreach to participants c. Participate in meetings, including presentations, moderation, commentary, and other tasks as required d. Take meeting notes and provide a meeting summary, including key takeaways and proposed next steps

4. Manage communication and coordination with other UN Regional Commissions, UN agencies, international organizations, and other entities as required

5. Provide, on a regular basis, written updates on work activities (including research, outreach, meetings, etc).

6. Other tasks as required.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced degree in Economics, Mineral Engineering and/or Political Science is required. Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in sustainable development in energy sector and extractives industry issues in Asia and Pacific is required. Language: Fluency in English is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.