South Africa

South Africa - Waste Methane Mitigation and Circular Economy Scale-Up

by Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) - 2 July, 2026
Overview

This call is open to respond to the request by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to strengthen methane mitigation across the waste system, including expanding organic waste diversion and treatment solutions,  scaling methane capture and utilization at major landfill sites, and promote food-waste valorization. The objective is to operationalize national and municipal measures that reduce methane from solid-waste streams and align these with circular economy goals, while supporting municipalities to move progressively from landfill-dependent disposal systems towards diversion and recovery approaches. The project should align with  

  • Waste Economy Master Plan (2025);  

Given increasing pressure on landfill capacity and limited diversion infrastructure, the project will prioritise support for practical implementation pathways that reduce reliance on landfill disposal over time. 

Particular attention will be given to identifying scalable methane mitigation opportunities linked to large organic waste generators (such as markets, food processing facilities, commercial centres and hospitality sectors), where diversion and treatment interventions may be implemented more rapidly and cost-effectively. 

To note that the project will also build upon and complement ongoing municipal waste methane initiatives, including participation of South African municipalities in the Lowering Organic Waste Methane (LOW-M) initiative and related Technical Expert Assistance proposal. 


Who to involve

  • Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) (Air Quality & Climate Change Branch; Chemicals and Waste Management Branch) 

  • Department of Cooperative Governance 

  • Municipal governments, particularly of eThekwini, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg/Gauteng, and Cape Town given their work with the Lowering Organic Waste Methane (LOW-M) Initiative 

  • Municipal waste authorities and utilities  

  • Private sector waste operators 

  • Operators and representatives of large organic waste generators (e.g. wholesale markets, food industry actors, commercial centres) 

  • South African Local Government Association (SALGA) 

  • Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) 

  • Waste picker organisations and cooperatives 

Expected results

Outcome 1 – Municipal waste authorities have operational or implementation ready methane capture system at priority sites by the end of the project or soon after.  

Output 1.1: Engineering, environmental and feasibility studies completed and formally endorsed by relevant municipal authorities for five major landfill sites. 

Output 1.2: Investment-ready business plans including financial models, risk assessments and implementation timelines, developed and approved for methane capture and utilization at identified sites. 

Output 1.3: Financing pathways secured or formally initiated (e.g., budget allocations, private sector interest, climate finance submissions) for at least three priority landfill sites 

Output 1.4: Procurement and implementation plans finalized, with at least one pilot methane capture system entering the installation or commissioning phase by project close or within an agreed post-project timeframe. 

Outcome 2 – The Government of South Africa has strengthened municipal landfill management to reduce methane emissions and improve waste sector performance 

By the end of the project, selected municipalities have operational systems, technical capacity, and investment-ready plans to reduce methane emissions from landfills through improved waste management practices and methane capture/utilisation. 

  • Output 2.1: Baseline assessments of methane emissions and operational practices conducted for selected municipal landfills. 

  • Output 2.2: Standardized guidelines for landfill methane management (including monitoring, reporting, and mitigation options such as gas capture, flaring, and utilisation) developed and endorsed. 

  • Output 2.3: Capacity building and training delivered to municipal operators on landfill management, methane monitoring, and mitigation practices. 

  • Output 2.4: MRV framework for landfill methane emissions developed and integrated into national systems. 

  • Output 2.5: Knowledge products and case studies developed to support replication across South African municipalities and SADC region. 

Outcome 3 – The Government of South Africa has operational integrated data systems for waste methane monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) by the end of the project.  

Output 3.1: Landfill methane data integrated into the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS). 

Output 3.2: SLCP waste module added to national ETF reporting. 

Output 3.3: Local Municipalities assisted in methane monitoring, reporting and verification 

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 through the dedicated Google Form, where expected to submit the related Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents.  

Evaluation criteria 

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:  

  • Fits in line with the goals of the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, as well as the country’s national framework 

  • 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 Super Pollutant 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 all proposals received by the submission deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, the Funding Commitee, and the Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners. 

  • Based on the outcome of this review, shortlisted applicants may be invited to submit a more detailed Project Implementation Plan and Budget to support the final selection process. 

  • Successful applicants will subsequently be invited to further develop and finalize their Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners. 

  • The selection process may take up to six months following the closure of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of submissions, the CCAC will not be able to provide individual updates or feedback on proposals during this period. 

    Due diligence and procurement

  • CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet 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  

    • 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. Note: (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  

    Procurement financed under this Agreement shall be undertaken in accordance with UNEP procurement requirements and the applicable provisions of the Agreement. Where procurement is carried out by the Implementing Partner, as a general rule, incidental procurement may be undertaken only up to a cumulative value of 15% of the total Agreement budget or USD 40,000, whichever is lower 

Highlights

Opening: 
Closing: 
Estimated project cost
$700,000