Call for consultancy: Project “Local to Global Action for Climate Justice, Phase 1”

Location: Global,None,None

The Lutheran World Federation 

Department for Theology, Mission and Justice (DTMJ) 

Project “Local to Global Action for Climate Justice, Phase 1”

Assessing Climate-Induced Displacement and Loss and Damage- Global Frameworks & Policy Implications based on case studies in Ethiopia and Somalia

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Introduction

Climate justice advocacy and policy engagement is a key priority in the current Strategy of the Lutheran World Federation (2019 – 2024). The LWF has engaged with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for more than ten years as observer, contributor and participant in climate negotiations and other processes. Its longstanding commitment to climate justice englobes building resilience, climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as supporting communities affected by climate change impacts and undertaking advocacy from local to global levels.

The Action for Justice- AfJ Unit is the advocacy hub of the LWF and accompanies member churches, World Service Country Programmes, and collaborates closely with ecumenical and faith-based organizations, civil society, as well as communities affected by climate impacts. The LWF advocacy methodology is essential to accelerate actions needed to set up a pathway for a sustainable and resilient society and economy where we protect the environment as the foundation for all life.

Local to Global Action for Climate Justice is a global project in 18 countries that includes

Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, South Africa, Ghana;

Asia and Pacific: Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and,

Latín America and the Caribbean: Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, El Salvador, and Cuba

The overall goal of the project is to accelerate climate action from local to global by boosting the global commitment to the Paris Agreement. The objectives of the project are:

Churches and faith-based organizations (FBOs) in the project countries have increased their engagement for climate justice.

By the end of the project, churches, FBOs and partner civil society actors in the project countries have effectively influenced national and regional policymakers for ambitious national and regional climate policies.

National religious leaders, churches, and faith-based actors actively contribute to climate justice advocacy in international forums.

Target groups for the project include churches, faith-based leaders, and faith-based organizations, their congregations, and the communities where they live and indirectly, local, district and National Government officials and policy makers. The project also targets and influences interfaith and civil society actors from local to global levels. LWF member churches in 18 focus countries represent more than 31 million people according to the LWF 2019 membership figures and engage with many more in their diverse communities.

A particular focus is placed on youth, women, and vulnerable people most impacted by climate change. The project aims for equal participation of women and men when possible and when not, at least will ensure 40% participation whether male or female.

Key stakeholders in civil society such as environmental and climate justice organizations are important allies and critical to the reach and impact of the project, as are academia and the scientific community to ensure science-based actions are taken and evidence-based advocacy is employed for effective influencing and results.

Internal displacement in the context of Climate Change

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a major driver of internal displacement.  Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, droughts, flooding and other climate-related phenomena are forcing communities to leave their homes, disrupting livelihoods, resulting in varied human rights violations such as GBV and creating complex humanitarian challenges. Despite growing awareness, there remains a critical gap in comprehensive data on the impact of climate-induced displacement, including as with regard to related loss and damage, possible violations of human rights and, if applicable, possible breaches of the human rights obligations of duty bearers, the needs of affected communities, and the responses needed to support them e