Zimbabwe - Enhance national livestock and climate policies with SLCP mitigation in the livestock sub-sector - ZB-24-002

Overview

This project responds to the request by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to enhance national livestock and climate policies with SLCP mitigation in extensive beef production systems. The outputs of this project will contribute to increasing the government’s knowledge and understanding of climate-friendly feed management practices for reducing enteric methane, enhancing the MRV framework for the livestock sub-sector with SLCPs, and increasing herder capacity on improved livestock management practices.  

The project is rooted in the context of environmental protection and climate change mitigation in Zimbabwe. Existing policies such as the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the National Climate Change Policy acknowledge the need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from livestock farming. However, there is a gap in comprehensive regulations directly targeting methane emissions from the sector.

Data inputs for this project include Zimbabwe's Tier 2 national greenhouse gas inventory and country-specific enteric emission factors. The project should build on the ongoing CCAC-funded project to integrate SLCPs within climate commitment plans and inventories.  

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

Who to involve

• Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife  
• Environmental Management Agency (EMA)
• Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MoLAFWRD)
• Zimbabwe Farmers Union
• Livestock Meat and Advisory Council
• Department of Research and Specialist Services
• Department of Veterinary Services
• Extensive livestock farmers
• Stock Feed Suppliers

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Zimbabwe has increased understanding of climate-friendly feed management practices for reduced enteric methane emissions in the extensive beef production system by the end of the project or soon after.

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

Output 1.1: A report on the variation in the feed basket within the extensive beef production system, including an analysis of different feed types, nutritional composition, and their impact on methane emissions.

Output 1.2: A study on developing tailored mitigation interventions within the farm gate, focusing specifically on reducing enteric fermentation in the cattle sector. This study will utilize findings from the national GHG inventory and country-specific enteric emission factors. It will involve reviewing various aspects of livestock production, including farm characteristics, population, herd structure, grazing land management, cattle production and reproduction data, feed availability and feeding methods, and environmental management programs. Additionally, it will analyze rations fed per herd subcategory.

Output 1.3: Evidence-based guidelines for optimizing feed management practices to reduce enteric methane emissions.

Output 1.4: Implement effective feed conservation methods such as silage and hay production to enhance overall herd productivity and reduce the emissions intensity of production. Fodder conservation training will be used as a method to capacitate relevant stakeholders with the skills to conserve forages in line with enteric methane mitigation.

Outcome 2: The Government of Zimbabwe adopts an enhanced MRV framework for the livestock 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 2.1. Standardized methodologies and protocols for collecting livestock data developed, including numbers, types, and management practices using modern technologies, such as mobile applications and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to streamline data collection processes and enhance accuracy.

Output 2.2. A developed integrated data management system that consolidates methane emissions data from various sources, including the livestock census, field surveys, and monitoring programs with established protocols and procedures for archiving methane emissions data, ensuring its long-term preservation, accessibility, and usability. Currently, the MoLAFWRD does not have a data management system in place and is a priority area in livestock inventory management.

Output 2.3. An established systematic process for annually updating methane emissions data and reporting progress on mitigation efforts to relevant stakeholders and international bodies.

Outcome 3: The Government of Zimbabwe integrates SLCP reduction targets in existing livestock and climate policies 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 3.1: Recommendations for integrating SLCP reduction targets into the Livestock Development Policy and National Climate Change Policy, 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 on 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 3.2: Stakeholder consultations with Academia, Government Ministries and Departments (MoLAFWRD), farmers associations, and NGOs organized to support the validation of the recommendations for integrating SLCP targets in the livestock and climate policies.

Outcome 4: Farmers, Herders, and agriculture extension officers have increased capacity to implement methane mitigation technologies and practices in the livestock sub-sector by the end of the project.

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

Output 4.1: Training delivered to 450 farmers, herders, and agriculture extension officers on enteric fermentation mitigation techniques, fodder production, conservation, and feed formulation in four provinces with the largest livestock populations in Zimbabwe.

Output 4.2: Established system to measure the adoption rate of fodder banks among farmers/herders in rangelands to quantify the number of producers who have established and are actively utilizing fodder banks as a strategy to address seasonal feed scarcity and ensure access to high-quality forage for their livestock.

Output 4.3: An assessment of current market linkages between forage producers and livestock herders, and opportunities to establish structured channels for the sale and purchase of forage crops. 

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