Mongolia - Integrate livestock methane targets into National Climate Policy - MN-24-002

Overview

This project responds to the request by Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism to support the integration of short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) reduction targets into Mongolia's National Climate Policy, enhance the government's capacity for sustainable agricultural practices and livestock management, adopt a comprehensive livestock-related inventory and rangeland management methodology, and establish a robust system for measuring, reporting, and verifying methane emission reductions.

The proposed project should build on the national methane roadmap developed through a CCAC-funded project, and on collaborative ongoing efforts such as with FAO’s Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plan.

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

Who to involve

• Government ministries involved in livestock management
• Local government
• Research institutions and universities.
• Civil society organizations  
• Herder groups

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Mongolia integrates SLCP reduction targets in Mongolia's National Climate Policy 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: Comprehensive SLCP Policy Recommendations drafted, including at a minimum:

• Analysis of socio-economic, legal, market, and technical factors influencing SLCP emissions in the livestock sector.
• Review of existing national and local policies related to livestock management and SLCP reduction.
• Quantification and analysis of SLCP emissions from the livestock sector, predicting future trends, and assessing current management practices.
• Cost-benefit analysis for proposed SLCP reduction strategies, considering potential environmental benefits and economic feasibility.
• Identifying and categorizing key stakeholders, involving them in strategy development, and analyzing collaborative efforts.
• Identifying strategic intervention areas to reduce SLCP emissions, ensuring co-benefits such as improved environmental sustainability.
• Evaluating potential policies and measures for SLCP reduction in the livestock sector, prioritizing actions for immediate and long-term implementation, along with projected implementation costs.

Output 1.2: SLCP targets for the updated NDC and National Climate Policy drafted and aligned with overarching climate policy objectives and sustainable development goals.

Output 1.3: Stakeholder consultations organized with relevant government ministries, agencies, and decision-makers to secure endorsement and implementation commitments.

Output 1.4: Awareness-raising materials for the updated policy documents produced and disseminated to key stakeholders and the public to foster awareness and accountability.

Outcome 2: The Government of Mongolia has increased capacity to measure and assess its livestock emissions by the end of the project.

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

Output 2.1: Tier 2 inventory and rangeland management methodologies developed, covering:

• An analysis of existing GHG and SLCP emissions in the livestock sector, with a focus on regional variations and specific livestock management practices.
• A standardized Tier Two inventory methodology for GHG and SLCPs, incorporating more precise emission factors and data reflective of localized conditions.
• Key measures for mitigating GHG and SLCP emissions within Tier Two inventory requirements, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the contributing factors.
• Protocols for improved data quality and accuracy, utilizing advanced technologies and innovations to enhance measurement precision.
• Guidelines for ongoing monitoring and updating of the Tier Two inventory, allowing for continuous refinement based on the latest scientific knowledge and local insights.

Output 2.2: Training and Capacity Building Programs Implemented for Government Officials and Livestock Industry Stakeholders, covering:

• Tier 2 inventory methodologies for quantifying GHG and SLCP emissions from the livestock sector.
• Hands-on sessions on using standardized tools and models for data collection, analysis, and emission factor application.
• Training on incorporating regional variations and specific livestock management practices into the inventory.
• Instruction on utilizing advanced technologies for improved data quality and accuracy, such as remote sensing or mobile applications for data collection.
• Emphasis on protocols for ongoing inventory monitoring, updating, and data management.

Outcome 3: The Government of Mongolia launches a System for Measuring, Reporting, and Verifying Methane Emission Reductions 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 3.1: Methane Emission Measurement and Reporting System for livestock designed and implemented, including:

• A reporting mechanism for transparent and accurate documentation of emission reductions.
• A verification process to ensure the credibility and reliability of reported methane emission reductions. 

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