TONGA: COST BENEFIT ANALYST

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are defined by IUCN as ‘actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g. climate change, food and water security or natural disasters) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits[1]’. The NbS concept, as used in environmental sciences and nature conservation contexts, has emerged within the last decade, as international organisations search for ways to work with ecosystems –rather than relying solely on conventional ‘grey’ engineered solutions (such as seawalls) – to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects, while improving sustainable livelihoods and protecting natural ecosystems and biodiversity. The 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a definition of NbS based largely on the IUCN definition.

The proposed Promoting Pacific Island Nature-based Solutions (PPIN) project seeks to support the development of policy and legislation for Nature-based Solutions (NbS), build awareness and capacity, and strengthen regional cooperation amongst PICTS on NbS. This project will be a key component of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) “Resilient Ecosystems for Climate Change Adaptation” (RECCA) Activity.

The project will seek to build regional awareness and capacity for NbS and embed NbS into regional and national policy and regulatory frameworks for key sectors in the anticipated demonstration countries of Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. NbS will integrated into existing regional platforms like the Pacific Resilience Partnership and the Pacific Roundtable for Nature Conservation through NbS technical working groups to advise members. Regional and national awareness and capacity in relation to NbS will be strengthened through targeted capacity building programmes for those designing and implementing NbS.

The project outcomes objectives for 2026 include:

1. NbS are increasingly integrated into regional frameworks and national laws and policies
2. Key stakeholders increasingly have knowledge and capacity to plan and implement NbS projects.
3. NbS are increasingly applied consistently across the region

This assignment is to carry out Cost benefit analyses of NbS versus business as usual in the demonstration countries for selected sectors

The analyses will be undertaken to understand the economic case for NbS in the medium and long-term, focusing on several key sectors identified as priorities by the countries.

For Tonga the ‘sectors’ agreed through stakeholder consultations are – Forestry, Climate Smart Agriculture and Mangroves.

These sectors align with priorities set out in the Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan (TASF) 2016-2020,  Joint National Action Plan 2 Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP2) 2018-2028 amongst other policy work.

 The economic case will build on existing work that examined payments for ecosystem services as a key tool for financing of NbS, and work undertaken relating to ecosystem and social resilience analysis (ESRAM) undertaken by SPREP in Fiji and Vanuatu, as well as blended finance, insurance, debt-instruments and other mechanisms. Integrating NbS into infrastructure projects often includes additional short term costs before long-term cost savings can be realised.  These may be offset through financial incentives from governments, banks, lending institutions or insurance companies. 

Making the economic case is critical for ensuring that NbS is included in development agendas.  Existing economic cases in the region made previously for types of NbS or related aspects, including those developed through PEBACC, RESCCUE, and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific Island Countries (MACBIO) may be used as project case studies.

The incumbent for the assignment will work closely with the focal points in the Government as well as the GGGI Country Team. The consultant will report to the GGGI Pacific Regional Adaptation Lead and will liaise with and work closely with the staff and consultants involved in different parts of the PPIN Project and on other related projects including the second phase of the Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN).

The assignment, being carried out in parallel in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu will enable some cross learnings on approaches and challenges. The methodology will be agreed at the start of the assignment following the kickoff meeting with the GGGI staff, PPIN Project Manager and consultants for each country.

The aim of the assignment is to enable each country to have valid cost benefit analysis for three sectors that will be targeted in both government and development partner large scale initiatives in the country.

The focal points in the Ministries will also learn CBA approaches by being involved in the exercise involving consultations at national level. 

The incumbent will carry out the following activities and outputs:

Activity 1:

 i) Kick-off meeting with GGGI and PPIN staff, and the consultants for Vanuatu and Fiji to agree on a common approach

ii) Inception meeting with Ministry focal points staff available. The consultant, Government Focals and GGGI to establish a common understanding of the activities, approach and timeline.

Deliverable 1  Develop a brief Inception report/Workplan for the assignment with approach and timeline

Activity 2: Desktop review of three sectors and summary of key data including but not limited to: cost data for nbs sectors and business of usual, case studies relevant to each sector. GGGI will coordinate on sectors common across the three countries notably climate smart agriculture and coastal protection.

Deliverables 2:

2.1 A summary of consultations and stakeholder meetings and key reference materials for collection of baseline data

2.2  Report establishing baseline data for Tonga including data tables with sources, potential data gaps and assumptions made to obtain all data needed.

Activity 3:  Carry out cost benefit analysis for each sector and lead on the organisation of a validation workshop including the confirmation and following up of stakeholders as well as the leading in workshop content design and delivery of event.

Deliverable 3.1: Analysis of each sector with key variables identified

Deliverable 3.2: Validation workshop report for cba analysis for each sector including a summary of feedback and proceedings of the workshop.

The incumbent should be idependant however regular communication with the project team engagement with government focals is key to ensure buy-in and integration of CBA work in government and development partner initiatives.

• Master’s degree in environmental science or engineering, economics or other relevant field
• Minimum 8 years relevant professional experience in financial and cost benefit analysis with at least two years in ecology or nature based solution assessents
• An understanding of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management and or mitigation actions
• Understanding of Tonga Government institutional structure, processes and systems, particularly related to environmental project design and development, finance, budget and monitoring and planning and the climate change space (desirable)
• Analytical, problem-solving, and strategic skills
• Fluent in English with excellent written English
• Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards would be an advantage
• Commitment to gender equality and awareness of gender aspects of sustainable development

Date to close is 15th December 2023, 11:59PM Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.