GREEN FINANCE NETWORK CONSULTANT (INTERNATIONAL) / IKI-ALCBT

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. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action under the International Climate Initiative (IKI), seeks to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by catalyzing nationwide transitions towards low carbon buildings in Asian countries. The Project is being implemented in 5 countries (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam) for a duration of 5 years (2023–2028). The project implementation is led by GGGI together with consortium partners, namely ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), HEAT GmbH Habitat, Energy Application & Technology (HEAT), and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).

The ALCBT project targets policy makers (national and state/city governments), building industry professionals (including energy service companies or ESCOs), financial institutions and universities/academia as beneficiaries to advance a low-carbon building transition of the countries. Its objective will be achieved through the development of standardized tools and systems for managing carbon emissions from the building sector and piloting them in project countries (Output I); enhancement of capacity for current and future building industry practitioners (Output III); establishment of financial pathways for low carbon buildings (Output III); and project knowledge sharing and promotion to facilitate replication and scaling up (Output IV). Under Output III, a Green Finance Network (GFN) will be established in each project country to promote the flow of financing for low carbon buildings. 

The consultant will develop the framework for the establishment of the Green Finance Network (GFN) in ALCBT project countries namely: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The GFN is aimed at promoting the flow of financing towards low carbon buildings and sustainable cooling. It will support the achievement of the ALCBT project investment mobilization target of EUR140 million. The GFN will bring together banks with green finance programs and investment institutions (including ESCOs) to form a supportive community for facilitating financing for low carbon buildings.

The GFN will serve as an avenue for sharing knowledge on financing products and services, capacity development and promotion of a on building taxonomy that incorporates the whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) concept for buildings and establishes thresholds for advancing low-carbon and net-zero carbon buildings., monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) tool and other tools developed through the ALCBT Project. Moreover, the GFN will provide a forum for discussing and addressing barriers to financing for low carbon buildings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will develop the framework for the establishment of the Green Finance Network (GFN) in ALCBT project countries namely: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The GFN is aimed at promoting the flow of financing towards low carbon buildings and sustainable cooling. It will support the achievement of the ALCBT project investment mobilization target of EUR140 million. The GFN will bring together banks with green finance programs and investment institutions (including ESCOs) to form a supportive community for facilitating financing for low carbon buildings.

The GFN will serve as an avenue for sharing knowledge on financing products and services, capacity development and promotion of a on building taxonomy that incorporates the whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) concept for buildings and establishes thresholds for advancing low-carbon and net-zero carbon buildings., monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) tool and other tools developed through the ALCBT Project. Moreover, the GFN will provide a forum for discussing and addressing barriers to financing for low carbon buildings.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Prepare an inception report with the workplan and timeline to deliver on the assignment;

2. Assess building sector taxonomy and climate finance landscape in ALCBT project countries;

3. Assess existing finance network at country level in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam and regional level which are currently active esp. in the building sector and their set-up and operations e.g., potential to build on it and engage them to facilitate investments for low carbon buildings;

4. Develop selection criteria for the potential members of the GFN for each of the project country and potential lead institution to convene members and coordinate GFN activities in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam;

5. Identify domestic and international financial institutions, ESCOs and development partners investing in the building sector and relevant energy efficiency (EE) projects in ALCBT project countries for the selection of potential members for the GFN;

6. Organize and conduct online meetings with stakeholders, as needed, including financial institutions to gather information and coordinate with GGGI team in meeting with stakeholders from the government. There is no travel budget for this assignment;

7. Develop a framework for the establishment of the GFN in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam including mandate, structure e.g., online platform, member selection and composition (e.g., government, private sector, financial institutions, developers, suppliers, etc.)  and potential list of members, operationalization plan including meeting schedules, legal/regulatory process if applicable, benefits including through the ALCBT project such as capacity building and knowledge sharing activities, bankable project development, adoption of low-carbon building (LCB) tools and WLCA benchmarks, matchmaking to mobilize investments, and sustainability plan after the ALCBT project;

8. Prepare the terms of reference for national consultants to support and coordinate the establishment of the GFN in each ALCBT project country;

9. Provide guidance and support to ALCBT project staff and consultants in engaging with partners and potential members of the GFN and setting it up at the country level e.g., through online sessions/meetings to present and explain their assessment and recommendations and provide clarifications; and

10. Present and/or share the GFN framework to the Project Steering Committees/Technical Advisory Committees/Project Implementation Unit of each ALCBT project country, respond to comments and clarifications and incorporate their inputs to finalize the GFN Framework.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Each of the deliverables must be submitted and approved by GGGI by the specified due date for the payment to be processed.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

The individual consultant is required to fulfill the following criteria:

• Post-graduate/ master’s degree or the equivalent in finance, economics, engineering, or related fields.

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the building sector and finance/investment mobilization for climate change projects.

• Experience of working with financial institutions, preferably in Asia.

• In-depth understanding of environment, social, and governance (ESG), finance landscape in Asia, financing policies and schemes in the building and energy sector.

• Good understanding of climate change mitigation and climate finance in the building sector.

• Demonstrated strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with a high-quality research publication record.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to liaise and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders of GGGI. 

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Candidates shall submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Cover letter

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, written test or presentation as appropriate. The consultant will ensure:

• Availability during the project period; and

• No conflict of interest arises while taking this assignment.

Date to close is 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.