Deadline: 10-Apr-24
On behalf of the FCDO Research Commissioning Centre, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) invites proposals from organisations or consortia to conduct a systematic review of the impact of climate change on rail operations in Turkey.
The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of climate change on railroad infrastructure and railroad system operations in Turkey and to understand potential areas of UK contribution through technological solutions and services.
The FCDO’s British Embassy in Ankara is looking to commission a systematic review on the impact of climate change on rail operations in Turkey. The study aims to identify the potential for building on the strong existing UK-Turkey relationship and track record of collaboration in the rail sector in developing a response to climate change.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) has been established to effectively commission and manage research to enhance FCDO’s development and foreign policy impact. Led by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), the University of Birmingham, and an unmatched consortium of UK and global research partners, the RCC aims to commission different types of high-quality research in FCDO’s key priority areas. All FCDO-funded research and development (R&D) investments commissioned by the RCC will be implemented using rigorous and robust research methodologies and quality standards. These R&D standards include meeting the Frascati definition requirements and FCDO’s Ethical Guidance for Research Evaluation and Monitoring Activities.1 For this research, the RCC is working directly with the British Embassy in Ankara.
The objective of this call for proposal is to commission a research project to investigate the impact of climate change on railroad infrastructure and railroad system operations, with a particular focus on Turkey. The research will also seek to understand potential areas of UK contribution through technological solutions and services.
Funding Information
- The estimated budget limit of the project is £60,000.
Research Need
- An environment-friendly, sustainable, climate-resilient railway has positive spillover effects for the entire economy, especially with the current focus on last-mile connectivity.
- Two factors put the country in this advantageous position. The first is its strong connection to international airtime and maritime trade routes, inward migration to urban centres, and the changing economic geography of the country. Secondly, immense prospects for the truck-torail modal shift show potential transformative gains waiting to happen when rail reforms are recognised and acted upon.
- The key objective of this analysis is to understand the impact of climate change on railroad infrastructure and railroad system operations in Turkey. Doing so will help inform and define potential areas of UK contribution through technological solutions and services. In the long term, it will improve UK-Turkey collaboration when tackling climate change and enhance sustainable development policies and the economic improvement around this sector.
- The project should conduct a rigorous systematic review of all aspects of railroad infrastructure, including physical capital infrastructure elements for both freight and passengers, and gather and analyse evidence that can inform decision-making for taking the necessary steps to:
- Understand the effect of climate change on rail operations for both freight and passengers.
- Develop measures of vulnerability and report comparative effects on different modes on climate change.
- Analyse the extent of anticipated future effects of these climate changes on the railway sector.
- Evaluate climate change effects on rail maintenance.
- Engage with the railway sector stakeholders to understand and analyse the institutional perspective.
Research Questions and Approach
- The research shall address the following questions:
- What are the likely effects of climate change on rail infrastructure and transport operations globally?
- What are the likely effects of climate change on rail infrastructure, maintenance, and transport operations in Turkey? Where will it be most severe? What are the opportunities for mitigation?
- How to measure the vulnerability of different modes to climate change?
- What technologies and strategies are promising for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the sector?
- They expect the research questions will be addressed through a systematic review of the literature addressing these questions, focusing initially on the global evidence base. The analysis and report should also include a section focusing specifically on the Turkish context, including the potential for building on the strong existing UK-Turkey relationship and track record of collaboration in the rail sector in developing a response to climate change. In addition to reviewing the literature, they expect stakeholder consultations and key informant interviews to be conducted as part of this project, both to help establish the final scope and interpret the findings for the Turkish context
Eligibility Criteria
- The team members shall have the following qualifications and expertise:
- Excellent knowledge and experience in climate change and railways with practical experience in advising national governments (and affiliated agencies) on designing and implementing policy interventions (focusing on Turkey, drawing on other parallel evidence from West Balkans and the Mediterranean).
- Understanding of public sector reform issues as related to the implementation of policies adapting the railway sector to the climate crises.
- Understanding of the specifics of the current policies and a knowledge of the dynamics of technical, economic, social and technological transition.
- Proven experience in conducting systematic reviews or other methods for the rigorous synthesis of evidence will be considered an asset.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Fluency in English is required and fluency in Turkish is desirable.
For more information, visit 3ie.
