Argentina - Develop a roadmap to reduce methane emissions intensity from beef cattle sector - AR-24-005

Overview

This project responds to a request made by Argentina’s Sub secretariat of Environment and Secretariat of Bioeconomy to develop a roadmap to reduce the intensity of beef cattle methane emissions.

The Government of Argentina is committed to reducing methane emissions intensity from the livestock sector, derived from enteric fermentation and manure management of beef cattle.

This project should align with and contribute to the implementation of the following policies:

• Law 26,331/2007, Environmental Protection of Native Forests  
• Law 27520, Law on Minimum Budgets for Adaptation and Mitigation to Global Climate Change.  
• Joint Resolution 2/2022 between the former Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (current Undersecretary of Environment), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (current Secretary of Bioeconomy) whereby the “National Principles and Guidelines for the Management of Forests with Integrated Livestock are in accordance with Law No. 26,331.
• Resolution 146/2023 whereby the Second National Adaptation and Climate Change Plan is approved.

The outputs of this project should support the development of evidence-based policies and measures that address short-lived climate pollutants in the livestock sub-sector; and scale up methane mitigation measures through training of beef cattle producers at farm level. This project should also improve Argentina’s monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system for the livestock sub-sector, incorporating Short-Lived Climate Pollutants monitoring and will support the transition to the requirements of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).

The project should build on the findings of the Low Emissions Development Study for the Beef Cattle sector and Argentina’s Methane Roadmap funded by the CCAC.

More information on Argentina’s efforts to address short-lived climate pollutants is available on its Partner Page.

Who to involve

• Sub-secretariat of Environment and Secretariat of Bioeconomy  
• Research and development sector of the country's academia, agronomy, veterinary and zootechnical faculties
• National Institute for Agrarian Technology, (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)) and its experimental stations and Agricultural Extension Agencies
• Producer associations

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Argentina endorses a roadmap for reducing methane emissions intensity from livestock production 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. Identification and mapping of key stakeholders from public stakeholders (national and subnational authorities), extension entities (INTA), national universities, producers and livestock advisors, as well as private sector, are developed.

Output 1.2. Consultation meetings are organized to involve key stakeholders. Gender perspectives should be considered.

Output 1.3. A steering committee to follow up on the progress of the implementation of the project is established (integrated by representatives of the Secretariat of Bioeconomy, Undersecretary of Environment, INTA, Universities, NGOs from the agricultural sector)

Output 1.4. Consultations meetings are organized to gather inputs from stakeholders (initial, mi-term and final meetings for validation)

Output 1.5. A national roadmap to reduce methane emissions intensity from beef cattle sector is developed with inputs from key stakeholders. The resulting strategy should document the following:

• Background  
• Prompt for the plan  
• Broad objectives for the sector  
• Definition of key terms  
• Methodologies used  
• Context analysis  
• Sector analysis: socio-economic, legal, market, and technical contexts  
• Internal analysis: current resources, policies, and capacity  
• SLCP emissions profile  
• Projected growth or other macro-trends in the sector  
• Stakeholder mapping  
• Groups identified and engaged in the development of the strategy  
• Teams or groups involved in the development of the strategy  
• Intervention opportunities  
• Identification and prioritization of methane intensity mitigation measures considering international experiences and national context applied to the beef cattle livestock sector, including for the management of bovine manure in feedlots
• Policy actions considered
• Feasibility, barrier, and cost analysis (including the insertion of current and potential additives in Argentina for bovine livestock)
• Co-benefits of implementing measures  
• Prioritized policy recommendations  
• Short- and long-term priorities based on speed, impact  
• Recommended policy interventions  
• Estimated cost  
• Responsible parties  
• Progress indicators and monitoring approaches  

Output 1.6: Communication materials developed to support a call for action addressed to national and sub-national authorities.

Output 1.7. A webinar on the project outcomes delivered to CCAC partners before project completion within the framework of the CCAC Hub on Agriculture

Outcome 2: The Government of Argentina is provided with a project pipeline for methane intensity mitigation in the beef cattle livestock sector by the end of the project or soon after.

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

Output 2.1. List of project/investment opportunities identified that can be shopped around (including national, international, private or public funding sources)

Output 2.2. Project pipeline developed for methane intensity mitigation in the livestock sector

Outcome 3: Livestock producers strengthen their knowledge to mitigate intensity methane emissions through practical approaches by the end of the project  

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

Output 3.1. A database of livestock farmers and their potential to implement efficiency practices developed alongside extension agents (INTA), academia, producers and advisors.

Output 3.2. A technical repository on best practices based on the national roadmap, to reduce the intensity of methane emissions in extensive livestock farming, is developed and made freely accessible.

Output 3.3.  1,500 livestock producers trained on the benefits of measures to reduce the intensity of methane emissions from livestock production by the end of the project.  

Output 3.4. Mitigation measures are tested in field to reduce methane from beef cattle production

Identification of mitigation measures to be tested, according to the developed roadmap. Possible measures if prioritized/feasible:

• Improvement of feeding systems
• Rotational management and continuous livestock systems, through improvement in paddock infrastructure and mobile drinks
• Conversion of extensive systems into silvopastoral, enriched natural forests (MBGI) integrated forestry and cattle management, or implanted forestry management
• Use of additives for diets in feedlot fattening systems
• Selection of the farmers or sites where tests will take place
• Implementation plan of the mitigation measures is developed
• Sustainability impact assessment
• Evaluation of tests in terms of implementation, operation, cost recovery, methane mitigation, risks (technical, operational), potential challenges or opportunities for scaling-up

Outcome 4: The Government of Argentina is provided with an improved MRV framework for the beef cattle livestock sub-sector 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 4.1. An improved MRV system for the livestock sub-sector developed, incorporating SLCP monitoring and provisions to support the transition to the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) (if applicable).

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. 
• 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.

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.