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1. Background

Bangladesh's industrial expansion particularly through Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and Economic Zones (EZs) is accelerating in line with the government’s plan to establish 20 new zones by 2046. These zones are major hubs for RMG and textile production, with increasing energy demand and growing environmental footprints. Despite regulatory requirements, ESIA compliance in many EPZs/EZs remains weak, with gaps in implementation, monitoring, pollution control, and energy‑sustainability measures.

Recent reforms in the energy sector (e.g., Renewable Energy Policy 2025, restoration of BERC public hearings, 3000 MW rooftop solar program) offer opportunities to integrate renewable energy and energy‑efficiency measures into industrial ecosystems. However, CSOs and policymakers lack comprehensive evidence on actual ESIA compliance and operational energy practices within EPZ/EZs.

This study will generate evidence to support advocacy under JETnet-BD and strengthen national efforts for a just and sustainable energy transition.

2. Objective of the Assignment

To assess the compliance status of Environmental Impact Assessments in a major EPZ/EZ and identify gaps that affect social and environmental protection, energy sustainability, and climate resilience.

3. Specific Objectives
The consultant will:

3.1. Collect and review the original EIAs & ESIAs of the selected EPZ/EZ

• Note: The consultant must source all relevant EIA & ESIA reports themselves from BEZA, BEPZA, DoE, or zone authorities.

3.2. Assess compliance with:

• Environmental management and pollution‑control requirements
• Social and Environmental safeguards
• Waste management, effluent management, air and water quality standards
• Climate‑related and energy‑related requirements
• Mitigation and monitoring plans outlined in the approved EIAs

3.3. Evaluate the current state of:

• Renewable energy adoption
• Energy‑efficiency practices
• Resource management (water, waste, land, chemicals)

3.4. Identify key gaps, risks, and non‑compliance issues affecting communities, workers, and ecosystems.

3.5. Provide practical, evidence‑driven recommendations for:

• Improving ESIA enforcement
• Strengthening monitoring mechanisms
• Integrating renewable energy and energy‑efficiency solutions
• Policy improvement for BEZA, BIDA, SREDA, DoE, and relevant agencies

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

4.1 Document Collection and Review

• Source all approved EIAs & ESIAs, environmental permits, Environmental Management Plan (EMPs), monitoring reports, and social compliance documents related to the selected EPZ/EZ.
• Review national laws and guidelines related to EIAs & ESIAs, social and environmental standards, and renewable energy integration.

4.2 Field Visit and Data Collection

• Conduct site visits to factories, utilities, and waste‑management facilities within the zone.
• Conduct interviews with:
• EPZ/EZ authority
• DoE officials
• Factory managers
• Local communities
• Workers’ representatives
• Related associations and trade unions representatives
• CSOs and environmental experts

4.3 Compliance Assessment

• Compare actual practice with ESIA commitments.
• Assessment of social compliances commitment and practices.
• Assessment of environmental compliances commitment and practices
• Evaluate pollution sources (air, water, solid waste, hazardous waste).
• Assess effluent treatment plant (ETP/CETP) functionality.
• Assess compliance with:
• National environmental quality standards
• Water abstraction and discharge rules
• Air emission standards
• Occupational health & safety (OH&S) measures
• Social impact mitigation and grievance systems

4.4 Energy Assessment

• Map current energy types and consumption patterns.
• Assess renewable energy readiness and gaps.
• Review energy‑efficiency opportunities based on sectoral benchmarks.

4.5 Reporting and Recommendations

• Provide a comprehensive compliance assessment.
• Develop policy briefs for advocacy.
• Recommend measures for industrial decarbonization and improved environmental governance.

5. Methodology

The consultant must outline a clear methodology covering:

• Document sourcing strategy
• Compliance assessment framework
• Sampling strategy for factory visits
• Data collection tools
• Stakeholder engagement plan
• Risk‑mitigation plan
• Ethical considerations

6. Deliverables

6.1. Inception Report (within 1 week after contract signing)

• Study design
• Detailed methodology
• Workplan and timeline
• List of documents to be sourced

6.2. ESIA Compliance Assessment Report (within 8 week after contract signing)

A full, evidence‑based assessment including:

• Compliance matrix
• Gap analysis
• Energy mapping and RE/EE opportunities
• Environmental and social risk analysis
• Case studies
• Photographic and geospatial evidence

6.3. Policy Brief (within 9 week after contract signing)

• Targeted recommendations for BEZA, BIDA, SREDA, DoE, MoPEMR, MoEFCC

6.4. Presentation (within 10 week after contract signing)

• Findings shared with JETnet‑BD and key stakeholders

7. Duration

• 70 Calender Days from signing of the contract.

8. Qualifications Required

• Minimum master’s in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Energy Engineering, or related fields
• At least 5 years of experience in EIAs, environmental audits, ESIA, or industrial environmental compliance
• Demonstrated experience assessing EPZ/EZ, RMG, textile, or large industrial clusters
• Knowledge of Bangladesh’s environmental legislation and EIA guidelines
• Experience in renewable energy and energy‑efficiency assessment is an added advantage

9. Reporting Structure

The consultant will report to Hamidul Islam, Programme Officer - Industry Decarbonisation & Compliance, with oversight from Manager – Just Energy Transition.

10. Budget

The project budget is including all applicable VAT & TAX.

11. Payment Schedule

• 30% after signing the contract
• 40% on approval of inception report
• 30% on final report and policy brief

12. Ethical Considerations

• Maintain confidentiality of stakeholders
• Follow DoE, BEZA, and BEPZA access rules
• Ensure unbiased, evidence‑based analysis
• Obtain informed consent from interviewees

13. Copyright and Permissions

The consultant will be responsible for securing all necessary copyright permissions for any third‑party content used in the study including text, images, maps, and data to ensure full compliance with intellectual property laws and ethical standards.

14. Ownership

All deliverables produced under this assignment—including the inception report, assessment report, policy brief, data sets, and any supporting materials—will be the sole property of the commissioning organization. The consultant shall have no ownership rights over the reports or materials generated and may not reproduce, distribute, or use any part of the work for other purposes without prior written consent from the commissioning organization.

Proposal submission

Interested Consultant(S)/Consultancy Agencies are requested to submit a proposal including the following:

1. Company/consultant profile and past experience.
2. Detailed cost breakdown with detailed specifications
3. Detailed Planning and delivery timeline

Contact details of the focal person

Deadline for Proposal Submission: 05 May 2026

• Please click below the link to submit your proposals

Link: https://jobs.actionaidbd.org/consultancy

Disclaimer: ActionAid Bangladesh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason thereof