Brazil - Reducing methane emissions intensity from the livestock sector [BR-23-003]

Overview

This project responds to the request by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil for services to develop a strategy for supporting the reduction of methane emissions intensity from livestock production in the country.

Brazil has valuable experience in promoting the adoption of Sustainable Production Systems, Practices, Products and Processes (SPSABC), through the implementation of the Brazilian Plan for Adaptation and Low Carbon Emission in Agriculture (ABC Plan). The first cycle of the ABC Plan, implemented between 2010 and 2020, enabled the mitigation of GHG emissions in agriculture and livestock sectors, as well as the restoration of degraded areas. The current period of implementation of the ABC Plan (so called ABC+ Plan) spans from 2020 to 2030 and targets the mitigation of GHG emissions corresponding to approximately 1 Gt of CO2 eq. It is structured on three conceptual bases: i) Integrated Landscape Approach (ILA); ii) permanent incentive for the adoption of SPSABC; iii) interconnection between climate change mitigation and adaptation. One of its main instruments is the Renovagro credit line, which sets socio-environmental requirements for technology investments.

Reducing methane emissions intensity is a promising pathway to mitigate emissions from livestock production, while increasing productivity. In line with this, the ABC+ Plan targets intensive fattening regimens until 2030, leading to the mitigation of 16.24 t CO2 eq. The adoption of intensive fattening termination regimens (either in pasture, semi-confinement, or feedlots) through the improvement of the availability of feed quantity and quality, reduces age to slaughtering, consequently, mitigating methane emissions. This can be done taking into consideration other animal husbandry and health dimensions promoted by Brazil.

The project will additionally support two other technologies fostered by the ABC+ plan, Recovery of Degraded Pastures (RDP) and Crop-Livestock-Forestry integration (CLFi), which recover productive capacity by increasing the production of plant biomass from forage crops while integrating agroforestry systems. These technologies not only make the production system more efficient, which consequently reduces enteric methane (CH4) emissions, but also reduce the pressure to transform new native areas for pastures and preserve existing native areas. The ABC+ plan sets the targets for increasing the adoption of RDP on more than 30 million hectares and of CFLi on 10 million hectares, with a mitigation potential of 114 million tCO2e and 38 million tCO2e, respectively. One of the goals is to provide positive incentives for supporting the adoption, implementation, and enhancement of the selected technologies by farmers, while helping them to comply with Brazilian environmental legislations (eg. the Forest code).

The actions of this project should support farmers of various sizes without excluding small holders. The project should consider existing policies, studies and technologies, as well as involve stakeholders to promote an integrated approach for the reduction of methane emissions in the livestock sector.

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

Who to involve

Successful delivery of this project will require close coordination and engagement primarily with subnational ABC+ Management Groups, research institutions such as the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), farmers and their representative organizations, academic sector, technical and financial experts, among others.

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. A strategy for supporting the reduction of methane emissions intensity from livestock production and recommendations 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: Organize consultation meetings with stakeholders such as researchers from Embrapa, farmers and policymakers.

Output 1.2: Subnational ABC+ Management Groups are supported by the project.

Output 1.3: Subnational action plans are implemented at State level.

2. A strategy for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of the reduction of methane emissions intensity from livestock production is developed and put into practice by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems developed or updated that include SLCPs.

Output 2.1: ABC Plan Information System (SINABC) incorporates the MRV strategy for reducing methane emissions intensity from livestock production.

Output 2.2: MRV data on reducing methane emissions intensity from livestock production is released by the end of the project or soon after.

3. 3,000 farmers are trained on the implementation of measures to reduce methane emissions intensity from the livestock sector based on Technological Reference Units (TRUs) by the end of the project.

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

Output 3.1: Feasibility studies

Output 3.2: Sustainability impact assessment

Output 3.3: Mapping of financing sources

Output 3.4: Delivery of seminars, field days, etc

Output 3.5: Technological Reference Units (TRUs) are set up

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.