Invitation to tender for project on “Measures to reduce consumption-based emissions”

Annual calculations to track a country’s global climate impact can be made in different ways. They are based on detailed data on activities carried out within the country’s borders and are used to monitor the climate goals set for the country within the UN, the EU, and nationally. Consumption-based emissions is a supplementary measure that takes into account the climate impact of a country’s consumption within the country itself and in other countries. In rich countries, including the Nordic countries, consumption-based emissions are usually significantly greater than territorial emissions. The Nordic Council of Ministers’ report on Global footprints from 2016 draws the following conclusion: “Despite the potential policy relevance, there has been relatively little research on policy applications. While environmental footprints have many advantages, policy applications are limited by estimation and interpretation uncertainty, and by the lack of a clear policy motivation.” This project addresses exactly this issue and will look at measures from a consumption perspective. In order to bring about a transition that is both effective and anchored among citizens, the aspect of fairness must be clearly taken into account in the design of new measures so that already vulnerable groups are not hit especially hard.

The primary purpose of the project is to compile potential measures that reduce consumption-based emissions. The emphasis is primarily on describing measures that are or have been in use, and secondly, on discussing proposals for measures from public authorities, the research sector, and organisations. Both air pollution emissions and climate emissions must be taken into account in the analysis of the measures. The project will also describe which methods are currently used to calculate consumption-based climate emissions in the various Nordic countries and how they have been developed, as well as take a closer look at the possibilities for linking air pollution emissions to existing methods.

Primary activities

• Present an overview of the development of consumption-based emissions in the Nordic countries.
• Produce a description of which methods are currently used to calculate consumption-based emissions in the Nordic countries and which are under discussion.
• Produce an overview in both text and table format of the measures to reduce climate and air emissions from consumption that 1) are used or have been used in the Nordic countries, and 2) that have been presented within academia, government studies, government assignments, and other relevant organisations within the Nordic countries but which are not used today.
• Analyse any differences between the Nordic countries.
• Reason the gaps that exist in the measures and proposals introduced in the different countries.
• Reason the fairness aspect in the design of consumption measures. Propose further work in this area.
• Provide policy recommendations based on the conclusions in the report that can be used for new policy efforts relating to consumption-based emissions and a broader vision for future pan-Nordic efforts in the area.

The budget framework for the project is DKK 440,000 (incl. VAT). The budget should cover standard project expenses as well as travel and communications.

The NME and NKL working groups at the Nordic Council of Ministers must receive tenders no later than 15:00 CET on 25 May 2023. All documents must be submitted by this deadline. Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. A decision will be made in early June, and all applicants will be notified. The date for the final report will be set in the project contract.

Applications must be e-mailed to NME’s administrative body (registratur.sodraosterbotten@ntm-centralen.fi). The project description/application form and compulsory budget schedule must all be in one of the Nordic languages or English. Applications must cite the journal number EPOELY/899/2023

Link to budget schedule: Budget schedule

Additional appendices may be submitted describing in greater detail the factors that the working group will consider in our assessment, e.g. a separate project description. CVs should be sent jointly by way of a single, separate file.

In assessing the tenderers, emphasis will be placed on:

• the structure and planning of the work, including methodology and how relevant data will be collected and processed;
• the distribution of responsibilities, use of time, general skills, and qualifications of those managing and implementing the project;
• the expenditure for the proposed project period, including hourly rates per person and other expenses;
• the tenderer’s previous experience in the area;
• the Nordic contacts and networks that will be used in the project and fluency in the Nordic languages;
• the timetable; and
• the planned communication of the project

NME and NKL will assess the applications and choose the successful one. The working groups reserve the right to reject all applications.

Please refer to the appendices for further information regarding project content and funding requirements.