IGF – Research Consultant

IGF – Research Consultant

The Place of Mining in Nationally Determined Contributions

(Location is flexible, see guidelines below)

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank that delivers the knowledge to act. Our mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability. Our big-picture view allows us to address the root causes of some of the greatest challenges facing our planet today—ecological destruction, social exclusion, unfair laws and economic rules, a changing climate. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, Toronto and New York, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries. We are currently looking for a Consultant to work in our IGF Program.

IISD serves as the Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF). The IGF is a member-driven organization aimed at providing national governments committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development the opportunity to work collectively to achieve their goals. It is devoted to optimizing the benefits of mining to achieve poverty reduction, inclusive growth, social development and environmental stewardship. The IGF serves as a unique global venue for dialogue between its 80 member country governments, mining companies, industry associations and civil society.

This position is a short-term consultancy.

Context

Climate change is already having significant impacts on the mining sector, and these will only increase as global temperatures continue to increase, precipitation rates become more variable, sea levels rise, and extreme weather events become more frequent and intense. At the same time, the mining sector, as a significant user of global energy and land resources, contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving the increase in global temperatures.

In response to this challenge, many companies are now investing in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions through investments in renewable energy and increased efficiency, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change. Governments and mining companies are similarly acknowledging the important and growing role that the sector will play in providing the critical mineral inputs required for the transition to a low-carbon future.

Beyond mitigating climate change, mining companies and mineral-rich countries are also recognizing the equally urgent need for the mining sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The sector is a significant user of local water and energy resources, both of which will be impacted by a changing climate. Operations, supply chains, and downstream infrastructure are exposed to extreme weather events, including cyclones, flooding, and drought. Rising sea levels and storm surges could challenge the viability of coastal and offshore mining. Investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation both in and around mine sites will help the mining sector manage the risks to their operations, reputations, and supply chains: governments will have a key role to play in facilitating these investments through policy, law, and regulations.

Governments must ensure that enabling conditions are in place within their jurisdictions that allow and encourage mining and mineral exploration companies operating to invest in critical minerals alongside investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Well-planned and appropriately implemented mitigation and adaptation actions from the mining sector, as from the private sector more broadly, will help countries achieve a number of their national and international commitments, including SDGs 7 and 13, the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) agreed upon under the Paris Climate Agreement, National Adaptation Plans, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Finally, governments are increasingly faced with challenges related to the low-carbon energy transition. Two types of challenge in particular stand out. First, governments are called on to anticipate and manage the disruptive social and economic transition that ensues when a keystone sector such as coal mining is phased out earlier than planned by the movement toward low-carbon fuel sources. While the challenges here are similar to those faced in the context of mine closure, they are more complex since they require a change of planning and renouncement to economic benefits at the national level to respond to resolve a global problem. Second, governments need to account for likely future scenarios and the demand implications of a low-carbon future when conducting development planning and project approval. The challenge here is policy-making in the face of some uncertainty about future technologies and the implications for the demand for particular minerals and metals.

IGF will conduct a scoping study to assess the importance of mining sector emissions for the achievement of NDCs under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Paris Agreement.

For a selected number of countries, the study will survey (where data are available):

• The emissions of mining operations, in absolute terms and as a percentage of total national emissions. (Scope 1 and 2 emissions).
• The emissions of major primary processing sectors, such as smelting. (conditional: to be assessed for viability in light of available data) (Scope 1 and 2).
• The gross emissions intensity of mining activity: the tonnes of CO2e emitted per dollar of output at a sectoral level.
• Any NDC commitments that might be directly relevant to the mining sector.
• Any national or subnational policies that seek to lower mining GHG emissions or to help mining companies adapt to the impacts of climate change.

This research will provide a baseline foundation on which the subsequent cooperation activities with GIZ can be explored.

Expected outcome

A scoping study (30 pages excluding annexes)

Consultants’ skills

• At least 10 years of experience working on mining and climate change, in particular on decarbonization strategies of mining companies to reduce scope emissions.
• Experience working on countries’ efforts to reduce their emissions to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• Advanced degree in relevant area and/or a referenceable track record of experience with relevant content knowledge and research.
• Flexibility and ability to work independently to a deadline.

Terms of consultancy

The consultancy will be conducted between January and May 2023.

Location: remote. IISD will not be applying for residency and work permits for this position on behalf of the applicant.

Budget (lump sum): EUR 21,000

Application deadline: January 10, 2023

Start date: January 23, 2023

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for the place located.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

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