Background

Since 2007, when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations first considered the concept of REDD+, this framework and set of activities have been developed at different geographic scales. These multiple scales have also operated under different funding sources and used different methodologies for estimating emission reductions. This has resulted in incompatible accounting frameworks, creating the risk of double counting and making it difficult to ensure environmental integrity, a situation to which Peru is no stranger.

Therefore, it is necessary to promote a nested approach to harmonize the accounting and reporting of emissions reductions from REDD+ initiatives at different scales. Nesting refers to the alignment of REDD+ implementation at different scales with respect to the accounting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals, the reporting of emission reductions, and related legal and institutional arrangements. The creation of a nested system facilitates the resolution of GHG accounting issues, and for it to work it requires the participation of the different actors in the territory associated with the LULUCF sector.

Through nesting, REDD+ initiatives are aligned in a transparent and robust manner with reference emission levels and other elements of the REDD+ approach, allowing for a more transparent and consistent approach to REDD+.

Nesting is therefore becoming a globally important process, both for voluntary market schemes and for national governments, in terms of tools, procedures, criteria and, above all, regulations that need to be aligned to ensure the environmental integrity of emission reductions, maintain robust accounting and support project proponents, which could lead to better prices in the market.

Since 2018, MINAM has been promoting nesting to harmonize efforts at different scales and recognize their contribution at the national level, so that avoided emission reductions due to forest loss are accounted in a way that ensures environmental integrity. To this end, work has been carried out on technical and regulatory elements, in coordination with various stakeholders through multiple spaces for participation, in order to achieve a functional nesting scheme. It should be noted that Peru is one of the first countries in the world to implement nesting.

MINAM continues to promote initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of the country and that make visible the fundamental role of forests, and has therefore carefully studied the best methodological options, based on discussions with public and private actors, to promote the development of projects that ensure a fair distribution of emission reductions.

The need is transversal to the three areas of work of the Comprehensive Action on Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) program, which is funded by USAID and managed by IFPRI within Latin America and the Caribbean. MINAM is a partner in this work, which seeks to support the implementation of the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) by building capacity to monitor its progress. The most direct relationship is with the activities of the pillar that aims to strengthen the infrastructure for data collection and management, since the entity has the legal mandate to monitor and report, based on a pre-established methodology, the progress in the implementation of the commitments (targets and measures) established in the NDC and its future updates.

Scope of work

• Report on the review of the new allocation tool VT0007 (UDEF -A) VERRA and the necessary inputs for its operation (deforestation risk map/maps, NREF, mapping information of REDD+ initiatives, among other inputs developed and/or provided by the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Directorate).
• Review manuals, codes, presentations linked to the VT0007 allocation tool.
• Conduct allocation exercises using the VT0007 allocation tool for REDD+ projects in the Amazon biome.
• Identify gaps in the NREF allocation tool and propose modifications and/or improvements.
• Organize technical meetings to learn about and properly use the VT0007 allocation tool.
• Develop a descriptive document of the findings of the exploration related to the mapping tool.
• Participate in the pilot and operationalization of the allocation of NREF information using the VT0007 allocation tool, within the framework of the nesting process and coordinated work with DGCCD specialists.
• Participate in meetings with the DMGEI technical team and other stakeholders, make capacity transfer presentations to the DGCCD technical team.
• Technical assistance in the nesting processes on issues related to the service, which involves participation in meetings, workshops, socialization events, among others.
• Develop a detailed protocol for the use of the VT0007 allocation tool, which considers the particularities and casuistry of REDD+ projects in Peru.

Required qualifications of the consultant

Academic Background:

• Bachelor and/or degree in professional careers in Geographical Engineering or Geography or Statistics or Physics or Forestry Engineering or Environmental Engineering or related.

Professional Experience:

• At least FIVE (05) years of general experience.
• At least THREE (03) years of specific experience related to remote sensing analysis applied to forest monitoring, deforestation and/or land use change.
• Experience in work or services related to REDD+ forests or nesting.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work in a team.
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish and English desirable.

Application deadline: March 27, 2024