Application of Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI)’s Requirements on Environmental Accountability to the Zimbabwe’s Extractive Sector(consultant) 116 views

A local NGO that works to promote good governance, environmental justice and sustainable development in the natural resource sector seeks the services of a consultant to undertake a research on the application of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) s requirements on environmental reporting to the extractive sector in Zimbabwe. In many resource rich countries including Zimbabwe, mining is considered as a springboard for economic growth, stabilisation, social and economic transformation. In Zimbabwe, mining is expected to play a critical role driving economic growth expected to alter the country’s development trajectory towards the achievement of the country’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The launch of the US$ 12 billion mining industry vision in 2019 coupled with the Government’s move to sign several mining deals under the Zimbabwe is Open for Business Mantra clearly indicates the significance of the mining sector to the country’s economic fortunes. While the mining sector’s potential to contribute positively to the country’s development efforts is evident, the environmental impacts associated with mining remain a source of concern to communities and a barrier to the sustainable development of the country. In most instances, communities hosting mining activities bear the cost of environmental impacts of mining such as land degradation, loss of livelihoods and water pollution. As the Government increases its drive to attract more investment in the mining sector, there are risks that environmental rights and environmental accountability issues may worsen or escalate. As such, there is a need for Government to strengthen its environmental policies and practises on environmental monitoring and management.

To make great strides in its efforts to better manage the environmental impacts of mining, Zimbabwe should explore opportunities to learn from international best standards on environmental accountability such as EITI. In accordance with the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) standard on environmental impact monitoring and management, member countries are intensifying their efforts to address the environmental impacts of extractive industries. This is done through instituting measures such as disclosing material environmental payments to governments (environmental taxes, fees or other relevant payments) and other information related to environment impact and monitoring as part of their EITI reporting.

Although Zimbabwe is not an EITI implementing country, it is important to assess how environmental accountability can be strengthened by borrowing from the EITI environmental reporting standards. The purpose of the study is to assess the opportunities for Zimbabwe to expand its efforts to improve environmental accountability in tandem with increasing global focus on companies implementing better Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards. The research findings will be used to promote CSOs engagement with government, mining companies and other stakeholders on opportunities to advance environmental accountability in the extractives sector.

Main objective of the study

The main objective of the study is to assess the opportunities to advance environmental accountability through the expansion of the EITI’s standard on environment.

Specific terms of reference

To establish the level of compliance by mining companies with mandatory and voluntary environmental reporting procedures and standards; To review the gaps in the policy and legislative framework in currently in place to support environmental accountability and access to environmental information vis-à-vis EITI standard on environmental reporting; To establish lessons from other natural resource rich countries on the implementation of environmental impact monitoring and the relevance of these lessons to Zimbabwe; To assess environmental impact data disclosure framework that exist in Zimbabwe and establish gaps and opportunities for the expansion of the 2019 EITI’s provisions on environmental impact monitoring; To assess voluntary initiatives that mining companies are undertaking to promote environmental accountability and establish any gaps and opportunities for advancing environmental accountability; To provide recommendations that CSOs can utilise to engage Government and other stakeholders on opportunities to strengthen environmental accountability in the extractive sector.

Key deliverables

Produce an inception report; Conduct data collection and analysis; Produce a research report; Conduct validation meetings; Incorporate feedback from validation meetings and submit the final research report.

Qualifications and experience

Previous experience in EITI and environment focused studies; Academic qualification in any of the following fields: law, economics, environmental economics, development, political science, sociology or any other relevant degree qualification; At least 3 years of research or information gathering and report writing in the sector; Availability to start the research immediately and ability to timely deliver on set targets.