Consultancy for Research on Community Benefits and Risks from Carbon Credit Projects

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.

The Organization

Oxfam is an international confederation of 21 organizations networked together in 85 countries. As part of a global movement for change, we are working together to end world poverty and injustice. We work with thousands of partners in countries around the world and employ staff in a wide variety of posts. We work directly with communities, and we work with the powerful to enable the most marginalized to improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in every decision that affects them.

The Programme

Natural Resources Governance (NRG) Program is one of the key strategic pillars of Oxfam in Cambodia’s Country Strategy. The program coverage thematic area of Land and Natural Resources Governance, Water Governance, Responsible Agriculture Investment, Just Energy Transition, Climate Change and Extractive Industry. NRG is working with different stakeholders ranking from policy makers, private sector, CSOs and communities to create and establish space and environment for discuss, consult and address issues related to the thematic focus as mentioned. NRG is working with more than 15 local NGOs partners operation at national and provincial level of Cambodia to support discussion and development of laws and policies framework related, organized forums to promoted dialogue and sharing of information, knowledge and experienced on the key issues. Moreover, NGR has strong projects footprint on private sector engagement and influencing across sectors and thematic issues such as agriculture values chains, extractive industry, just and clean energy, and public financial management and banking.    

Background

Oxfam and others have increasingly raised the alarm on growing global carbon inequality pointing out the unequal distribution of carbon emissions and their effects on the environment and society. Specifically, high-income individuals and nations tend to produce more carbon emissions per capita than low-income individuals and nations, while also being less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Long standing gender, racial and economic inequalities mean that historically marginalized communities are the hardest hit and most impacted by the climate crisis.

Cambodia is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and sea level rise threatening its agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries[1]. As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Cambodia remains steadfast in its international commitments to foster a sustainable future.  The country has demonstrated its ability to address these challenges by setting an ambitious national climate change agenda, and by developing key policies to respond to climate change impacts, such as the Updated Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0, the Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN) by 2050, concluded in 2021, the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024-2033 and Operational Manual for the Implementation of Article 6 of Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Carbon financing in Cambodia is an evolving landscape, driven by the country's commitment to sustainable development and climate action. Cambodia has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions, particularly from deforestation, and aims to become a significant carbon sink by 2050. This effort is supported by various legal and regulatory frameworks, including the Cambodia Climate Change Financing Framework (CCFF), which outlines the financial strategies needed to achieve these goals. The country is also developing mechanisms to facilitate its participation in international carbon markets, aiming to mobilize much-needed investments for its climate mitigation goals.

Oxfam in Cambodia (OiC), in partnership with Oxfam America (OUS), will gather evidence on the social and economic impacts of these projects with particular attention to harmful practices, benefits, risks, gender equity, and the rights of involved small scale producers and IPs in the project communities. This research seeks to understand the benefits and risks of carbon projects for small-scale producers and IP communities. This evidence will inform our policy and advocacy efforts to protect these communities on issues regarding human rights, land rights, and gender equity and also, educate and increase public awareness on carbon credits. The research builds on the analysis

Objectives:

1. Determine the process and mechanism of engagement of target population (small scale producers and/or IP communities) in carbon credit processes- project planning and design, governance, benefit sharing and decision-making processes.
2. Understand the impact of carbon credit projects on the livelihoods of target population (small-scale producers and/or IP communities) including changes in income, food security, and access to resource, decision-making.
   1. Understand how the risks and benefits from carbon credit projects are experienced and distributed among different stakeholders focusing on small-scale producers and Indigenous Peoples (especially women).
3. Examine the effects of carbon credit projects on gender equality in the community, including changes in women's access to land, social norms, resources, and decision-making power.

Based on the objectives of the study, we hope to:

1. 1. Build Evidence: through documentation of case studies on the benefits and risks for small-scale producers and IPs participating in or impacted by carbon credit projects in Cambodia with lessons for all projects involved in the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
   2. Develop Recommendations based on research findings on how to best support small scale producer communities and IP communities in navigating the risks and benefits of carbon projects and credit generation.
      1. Used for OUS and OiC offices, applicable to the greater Oxfam confederation including affiliates and countries, clusters and regions (CCRs) and partners

Scope Of Work and Deliverable:

The products of this research will be:

• A final research report (see Oxfam report formats) that will include the elements outlined below. While there is no minimum or maximum length requirement, the aim will be a report that is concise, factual and informative in style.
  • A desk-based literature review limited to the experience of Cambodian small-scale producers and IP communities involved or impacted by carbon credit projects.
  • Case study documentation that illustrates the experiences of small-scale producers and IPs involved in or impacted by carbon projects in 2-3 of the referenced carbon credit models listed in Section 1.
• A guidance document, no longer than 2 pages, compiled from conclusions and findings of the research, with recommendations for Oxfam based on the gaps, trends, etc. established by the research. To be presented to Oxfam staff. This will be used as a practical guide for Oxfam to launch future research options, further advocacy positions, and deepen its influencing work.

TIMETABLE:

Required skills and competencies

Essential

• Proven strong experience and knowledge on carbon credit or financing, climate change, climate finance, carbon credit or financing, or relevant fields  
• Proven strong experience and knowledge on research study in related fields
• Solid knowledge on Article 6 and its implementing manual specifically for Cambodia.
• Fluent both Khmer and English writing, facilitation, investigation and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Submission requirements

• Proposal that reflects on the Terms of Reference to deliver the assignment
• Draft work plan showing the suggested timing of carrying out the deliverables
• The estimated budget for this assignment accompanied with a cost breakdown, showing days or hours spent (per relevant individuals involved) and the related fees (the consultancy fee should be mentioned in gross fee in US Dollars, which is subject to 15% withholding tax for resident taxpayers or 14% withholding tax for non-resident taxpayers). This fee should be inclusive of ALL considerations.
• CVs of the relevant individuals and company profile. If it is a team/group, please provide information on team members and their role
• No payments will be made outside the contractually agreed budget.
• Contact details for 2 references

Organizational Values

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Others

• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights (click here).
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

For any questions, remarks or requests for clarification, please contact Mr. Sok Khim, Natural Resource Governance Programme Manager, Email: khim.sok@oxfam.org

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