Pakistan - Advancing Implementation of Pakistan’s National Clean Air Policy Through Clean Cooking Fuels and Technologies [PK-23-003]

Overview

In Pakistan, rural and semi-urban populations rely heavily on traditional biomass fuels for their daily cooking needs. The widespread use of inefficient cooking technologies has led to harmful health outcomes and deforestation. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey of 2020-2021, the household sector is a leading contributor to air pollution in Pakistan. An estimated 153,000 people in Pakistan lost their lives in 2019 due to air pollution, with women and children being disproportionately affected.

Support is needed to implement the 2023 National Clean Air Policy that is aligned with Pakistan’s 2021 NDC, and 2021 National Climate Change Policy to promote clean cooking fuel and technologies. The aim of the project is to develop a National Clean Cooking Strategy, which will include identifying barriers to adoption of clean cooking fuels and technologies and developing a roadmap to scaling up renewable energy in the overall energy mix.

Past efforts to promote improved cook stoves have fallen short of meeting the demand for sustainable biomass use and greenhouse gas reduction.

This request will assist in achieving target 7.1.1 of the National Action Plan for SE4ALL (Sustainable Energy for All) i.e., improved Cooking Stoves for around 40 percent of population (National Action plan 2019, Sustainable Energy for all). Pakistan’s first National Inventory for Short-Lived Climate Pollutants compiled in 2022 also identifies the use of improved and efficient cookstoves to reduce indoor air pollution as a priority target further demonstrating the alignment of this project with national priorities.

This project is expected to launch in Q1 2024. More information on Pakistan's 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 the following stakeholders:

• Ministry of Energy and Power
• Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division)
• Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination
• Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination
• Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety

Other stakeholders include the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research and academic institutions and local communities.

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 Pakistan endorses the National Clean Cooking Strategy 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: National Clean Cooking Strategy for Pakistan focused on clean cooking fuels and technologies to scale up mitigation from the sector.

2. The Government of Pakistan has increased capacity to implement Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Framework for clean cooking fuels and technologies by the end of the project. 

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

Output 2.1: Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework to track the adoption and impact of clean cookstoves to drive data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement of clean cookstove programs.

3. The Government of Pakistan has increased capacity to assess, monitor, and reduce SLCP emissions from the household energy sector.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action. 

Output 3.1: Capacity building for reporting emissions reduction data to participate in and facilitate access to carbon market incentives for emissions reduction efforts.

4. The Government of Pakistan adopts performance standards for clean cookstoves and labels. 

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

Output 4.1: Comprehensive performance standards for clean cookstoves and labels to help consumers identify efficient stoves to enhance consumer awareness and informed choices regarding clean cookstoves, leading to increased adoption.

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 any time 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.