Brazil - Develop a methane mitigation strategy for urban and agricultural waste sectors [BR-23-002]

Overview

This project responds to the request by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil for services to develop and implement a methane mitigation plan for urban and agricultural waste sectors.

The success of these projects in the agricultural and urban waste sectors would symbolize a major stride towards fulfilling Brazil's commitment of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 in comparison to 2005 levels. As part of Brazil's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), these initiatives represent specific measures in distinct sectors that would substantially contribute to effective emission reduction. In the agricultural sector, Brazil has set an ambitious target to treat approximately 208.40 million m³ of animal waste by 2030. This undertaking would significantly decrease the methane emissions from livestock, making a 21 substantial contribution to the overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this, the project aspires to promote change through low-carbon emission practices in agriculture and with the current AGR-22-001 project (under the CCAC’s implementation phase), which specifically targets the management of animal production residues (MAPR).

In the urban waste sector, Brazil possesses considerable potential to mitigate methane emissions through efficient waste management. This includes reducing organic waste in landfills by improving waste separation and collection, promoting recycling and composting, and implementing energy recovery technologies like biodigesters. Maintaining a maximum limit for landfilling organic waste to conserve nutrient value would ensure a sustainable waste management system. Financing for these initiatives could be acquired through direct government subsidies, private sector investments, carbon credit schemes, and energy certificates like the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) and CBIOs under the RenovaBio program. These financial mechanisms would help to overcome the barriers associated with implementing these projects and stimulate the widespread adoption of low-carbon technologies.

More information on Brazil involvement in the CCAC is available on their Partner Page.

Who to involve

The strategy for implementing these projects emphasises broad collaboration among government entities, the private sector, research institutions, and social organisations. Stakeholders, including waste collectors, waste management service providers, municipal authorities, farming communities, and others, are integral to the consultation and dialogue process, enhancing the overall acceptability and effectiveness of the project.

Expected results

Applicants are encouraged to propose additional outputs as needed to ensure the expected project outcomes are achieved. Applicants can determine the scope of outputs if not specified. The project is expected to deliver at a minimum:

1. The Government of Brazil adopts a Strategy for Methane Reduction in urban and agricultural waste sectors by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented.

Output 1.1: A comprehensive Sector Strategy

Output 1.2: Extensive training for stakeholders on sustainable waste management practices and funding mechanisms

Output 1.3: A guide for Sector Strategy

Output 1.4: Coordination mechanism between sectors, stakeholders and levels of governments

Output 1.5: Monitoring and evaluation tools

Output 1.6: An investment portfolio for the Strategy

2. Sub-national agencies adopt new waste management practices based on the Methane Strategy

Indicator: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted.

Output 2.1: Workshops for sub-national agencies to customise adoption plans

Output 2.2: Technical assistance to sub-national actors on waste management technologies and funding mechanisms 

Output 2.3: Develop a monitoring and evaluation system

Output 2.3: A guidebook on new waste management practices

3. Proposal for the National Government to incorporate the Methane Strategy into the relevant policies on reduction of methane emissions by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of laws, regulations, or other policy mechanisms with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed, and/or implemented.

Output 3.1: Organize workshops for government stakeholders

Output 3.2: Provide technical assistance for integrating the Methane Strategy into the relevant policies.

Application process

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submitted before the deadline
• Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity. Governments are not eligible to apply directly for funding in this call.
• Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses 
• Project duration is less than 24 months
• Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected. 

Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents. 

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org (secretariat[at]ccacoalition[dot]org).

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders 
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed
• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1

Selection process

• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners.  
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.

The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

Note: Due diligence 

In addition to eligibility criteria outlined above, qualified UNEP/CCAC implementers* must meet the following criteria: 

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years 
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements.

* (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only, and as such, total costs in the following categories must fall below a certain threshold*:

• Contractual Services
• Equipment, Vehicles and Furniture
• Operating and other Direct costs
• Supplies, Commodities and Materials

*Agreements of $200,000 and below: up to $20,000 or 15% of total budget, whichever is lower.

*Agreements of above $200,000: up to $40,000 or 15%. * United Nations agencies are exempt from this requirement.