India - Strengthening Clean Cold Chain Policy and Technology Integration for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Punjab 

Overview

This project responds to a request made by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, Government of Punjab, to reduce SLCPs while addressing agricultural and food security challenges through the deployment of decentralized cold storage units powered by renewable energy (solar, biomass, or hybrid). Operated by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), or cooperatives, these units will reduce post-harvest food loss and associated methane emissions, support a shift away from paddy-wheat monoculture, and enhance farmer incomes through climate-smart crop diversification. 

Punjab's agricultural economy is undergoing a critical transformation. Historically reliant on the paddy-wheat monoculture, the state now faces environmental challenges that threaten the long-term sustainability of this model. Groundwater levels have seen a steady decline, raising concerns about the viability of irrigation-intensive crops like paddy. 

Recognizing these challenges, the state has begun to actively promote horticulture and crop diversification as more sustainable and remunerative alternatives. However, the absence of decentralized cold storage infrastructure continues to challenge this shift.

Addressing this challenge requires decentralized cold storage systems that are cost-effective, renewable-powered, and tailored for local agro-climatic and cropping conditions. Against this backdrop, the project proposes to pilot solar-powered, biomass-powered, and hybrid units.

This project should align with the State Dual Strategy on SLCPs and National Policies: 

• State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0)
• Punjab Vision Document 2047
• Pathways to Net Zero in Punjab: The Critical Role of Non-CO2 pollutants
• India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)
• India’s Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4)
• Goals of the National Centre for Cold Chain Development
• Report Of The Task Force On Cold Chain Projects
• India’s Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS)
• Report of the Committee on Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI)
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Who to involve

• Punjab State Council for Science and Technology
• Department of Horticulture, Government of Punjab
• Punjab Agricultural University
• Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy
• Private Technology Providers
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
• Relevant Stakeholder Departments, Farmer Producer Organisations, Cooperative Societies, Technology Providers and Research Institutes

Expected results

Outcome 1. Enhanced knowledge and institutional understanding of clean cold chain and SLCP mitigation options across key stakeholders by the end of the project. 

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

• Output 1.1: Pre-feasibility study completed including crop mapping, covering crop-specific cold storage needs, technology and market gaps, energy options (solar/biomass/hybrid), business model viability (e.g., Cooling-as-a-Service), and financial sustainability for decentralized clean cold chain solutions in Punjab.
• Output 1.2: Baseline audits on produce losses, cold storage access, and SLCP hotspots.
• Output 1.3: Capacity building programs for officials, Farmer Producer Organizations, and Self-Help Groups. 

Outcome 2: Demonstration of viable decentralized clean cold chain pilots by the end of the project. 

 Indicators: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted  

• Output 2.1: Four pilot cold storage units installed and operationalized in four districts based on the findings of the preliminary analysis.
• Output 2.2: Performance and impact assessments of pilots conducted (economic, emissions, and resilience). 

Outcome 3: Policy recommendations for SLCP-aligned cold chain models developed by the end of the project. 

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

• Output 3.1: Preparation of a draft document summarizing key findings.
• Output 3.2: State-level stakeholder consultations and exposure visits.
• Output 3.3: Finalization of report with key recommendations.
• Output 3.4: Development of Standard Operating Procedures toolkits and replication roadmap.
• Output 3.5:  Cold chain learnings to be fed into state-level planning through policy measures.

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.

Due diligence and procurement

Due diligence  

CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet with the following requirements:   

• 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

Contract requirements

If selected for funding, your project will be contracted through the United Nations. Organisation(s) selected to implement the project must meet the following due diligence and procurement rules.

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only.