In the face of the global climate crisis, no one disputes the need for a rapid and global energy transition away from harmful fossil fuels. A huge demand for renewable energy and the raw materials for its production has rapidly emerged.  While Europe and Germany are discussing the technical and industrial potential of decarbonisation and the need for an energy transition within the framework of green capitalism, what is often neglected is the fact that there is a huge global imbalance between how much energy is used on the one hand and where the energy comes from on the other. As can already be seen in many cases, the rush to renewable energy (RE) is currently fuelling the risk of another global system in which critical raw materials and critical infrastructure such as land and water are sourced in the global South for export and use in the global North. In many cases, this is already having a negative impact on nature and human rights. German policies and investments in many countries of the Global South play an important role in this so-called energy transition process. The country is quick to emphasise that all its involvement supports a 'just transition' everywhere, that its involvement only creates a 'win-win' situation for all parties involved, and that it is not part of a 'new energy imperialism'.

The country case studies aim to critically assess and analyse examples of German policies and investments in the energy transition. While not denying that there may be opportunities for countries, the case studies will look at examples where environmental degradation, land conflicts and/or unsafe and exploitative working conditions are occurring, or are at risk of occurring, as a result of a policy, investment and/or development project that is supposed to contribute toa 'just' energy transition.

Main objectives of the case studies:

1. The primary objective of this project is to identify, analyse and expose the unjust experiences of the so-called 'just' energy transition and the colonial hierarchies in the extraction of resources for energy consumption and use.

2. To raise awareness of the lack of public information, democratic participation and examination of global inequalities in the energy transition.

3. The aim is not to denounce the need for a global energy transition as such, but to expose the prioritisation of energy needs for the industries and societies of the Global North at the expense of the environment and societies of the Global South.

4. To expose the ways in which the energy transition is being hijacked by corporate interests to push for so-called 'false solutions', such as hydrogen that is not produced with green energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), biofuels, etc.

5. To identify and formulate alternative proposals in the face of the corporatisation of the energy transition industry, putting people, the environment and global justice at the centre.

Timeline:

• By September 8^th, 2024: Submission of Applications (see below for desired content)
• By September 11^th: Commission authors for writing case studies -
• Until 18th September: authors commission research design / synopsis for case studies
• Last week of September: online meeting between all authors and RLS team
• Until 1st November: submission of first draft of the case study
• Until 8th November: commenting of the case studies by RLS editing team
• potential second and third feedback loop between author and RLS team
• Until 29th November 2024: submission of final draft of the case study
• Layout and graphic design to be organised by RLS
• Launch / Publication date is yet tbd, authors might be requested to present the case studies in a launch event/ give video statements for social media

Details about Applications

• Authors and organizations from anywhere may apply (see also language specifications below), it may be one individual author, several authors applying together, or an organization/institution.
• Each country case study will be commissioned separately, but work with aligned ToR.
• All applications should be submitted by September 8^th2024, to Caroline Hüglin, Project Manager for Southern Africa at RLS Berlin, (caroline.hueglin@rosalux.org) and include the following information:
  • _{CV & Cover letter outlining the candidate’s qualification and motivation for the mandate.}
  • _{Research Design including description of methodology.}
  • _{Previous experience with similar assignments, ideally with a previously written work.}
  • _{Demonstration of alignment with RLS overall goals, a leftist approach and the ability to incorporate a decolonial approach to the study.}

Selection Criteria for the applications:

• Total Price: 60%
• Research Design: 20%
• Previous work and experience and demonstration of decolonial approach: 20%

Budget & Honorarium for authors:

Honorarium will be based on locally prevalent rates in the applicant’s country of residence and may be proposed in the author’s application (quotation based on daily rates).

RLS has reserved some additional budget for editing, graphic design, and dissemination costs.

The contract with the authors includes:

• Submission of research design/proposals
• Participation in an online meeting with the RLS team and all case study authors
• Submission of draft case study for comments/ review
• Incorporation of comments and submission of final article
• Incorporation of changes by copyeditors before publication
• Submission of an executive summary / outline of important points for media representatives
• Participation in a dissemination event and/or recording of a video statement on the major outcomes of the case study and recommendations

Other conditions:

• The authors are expected to review existing research, official documents; interviews and field visits might also be necessary as part of the research, any field work expenses are covered within the honorarium and cannot be claimed from RLS additionally
• Payment will be made in two instalments, firstly a smaller instalment after submission of the research design & online meeting with RLS, secondly a bigger instalment after submission of the final case study
• Taxes will be deducted as per local compliances

The honorarium contracts will be provided by the respective RLS offices/units, in this case, RLS Africa unit in Berlin. The exact remuneration will be decided by the offices/units and will be based on locally prevalent rates.

Languages:

• The case studies can be submitted in English or German– tbd with contractor before signing of the contract
• The compilation of the case studies will be published in English and possibly German & Spanish

Point of contact for authors:

Namibia case study - Caroline Hüglin, Project Manager Southern Africa, RLS Berlin, caroline.hueglin@rosalux.org, +49 30 44310 193

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