Chad - Strategy and project pipeline for Organic Waste Management

RATIONALE

This project responds to a request made by the Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of Chad to enable investment to scale up implementation of organic waste management, including by strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development to develop a sector strategy for organic waste management and to prepare a pipeline of bankable projects and investment pathways.   
 

The waste sector in Chad, particularly in N'Djamena, faces several challenges:

• Waste production: The city of N'Djamena generates approximately 905 tons of waste per day, a small portion of which (25 to 30%) is collected, with the remainder often abandoned or burned in the open.
• Inadequate management practices: Open burning of waste is common, contributing to air pollution and public health problems.
• Lack of infrastructure: There is a deficit in waste treatment infrastructure, particularly for composting and organic waste recovery.
• Institutional framework: Although laws exist, their implementation is hampered by a lack of resources, coordination, and technical capacity within responsible institutions.

These challenges highlight the need for a robust sectoral strategy for organic waste management, integrating SLCP reduction targets, sustainable financing mechanisms, and capacity-building programs.  

The project aims to contribute to a 20% reduction in methane emissions from the waste sector by 2030. This reduction specifically applies to emissions generated from organic waste in landfills and disposal sites, which represents one of the most significant sources of methane in Chad's waste management system. This target aligns with Chad's broader SLCP reduction goals and will contribute directly to Chad’s NDC commitments by addressing a previously under-represented emissions source in Chad’s climate action planning.

Although the implementation of the project would not begin until later in the year, its outcomes will still inform Chad's NDC process through several mechanisms. The NDC is being revised as part of an iterative and ongoing process, with the final document due for submission to the UNFCCC by the end of 2025. While preliminary NDC development work is already underway, the comprehensive waste management strategy produced by this project will provide critical technical inputs, baseline analyses, and mitigation scenarios that will refine and strengthen the waste sector components of the NDC.

The detailed emissions baseline, sectoral analyses, and implementation frameworks developed through this project will inform both the current NDC revision and its subsequent implementation phase. Furthermore, the project's outputs will create the foundational technical and institutional capacity necessary for Chad to effectively implement and monitor the waste sector commitments outlined in the NDC, ensuring that Chad’s climate ambitions translate into measurable action and verifiable emissions reductions beyond the NDC submission date.

The project will also establish a strategic framework for identifying, developing, and financing scalable organic waste management projects, especially in N'Djamena. The project will focus on strengthening the technical and institutional capacity of Chad's environmental authorities to develop a robust pipeline of 8-10 implementable projects focused on organic waste management and establish pathways to investment. This includes identifying and engaging potential financing sources, ranging from climate funds and development finance institutions to private sector investors. The project will develop at least one full funding proposal ready for submission, while building the ministry's capacity to navigate financing procedures and requirements. Through strategic stakeholder engagement with the financial sector, the project will explore innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, results-based payments, and carbon market opportunities that can support long-term implementation of the identified projects. This comprehensive approach will create a sustainable financing framework for transforming Chad's organic waste management sector while delivering significant climate mitigation benefits. 

Activities

Outcome 1: The Government of Chad endorses the sector strategy for organic waste management 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 1.1: A sector strategy for organic waste management which includes at a minimum:  
  • Updated national emissions inventory for organic waste
  • Review of current laws, policies, and regulations  
  • Measures for effective organic waste management focused on source separation and decentralized treatment  
  • Mitigation potential of identified mitigation options  
  • Cost of implementation and financing framework  
  • Assessment of climate, health, and socio-economic co-benefits
  • Recommendations for enhanced monitoring, reporting, and verification system.  

Outcome 2: The Government of Chad endorses a national legal framework for SLCP management in the waste sector by the end of the project.  

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

• Output 2.1: Draft a national legal framework for SLCP management in the waste sector to:  
  • Integrate SLCP reduction targets into national waste management policies.
  • Establish clear standards and guidelines for the collection, treatment, and disposal of organic waste to minimize SLCP emissions.
  • Strengthen intersectoral coordination and policy coherence in the areas of environment, public health, and sustainable development.

Outcome 3: The Government of Chad has increased capacity to reduce SLCPs from the waste sector through organic waste valorization by the end of the project.  

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

• Output 3.1: Training needs assessment of national and local level authorities on organic waste treatment
• Output 3.2: Training modules and materials covering the actions highlighted in the strategy, including enforcement procedures and best practices, developed for relevant authorities  
• Output 3.3: Training delivered to national government and local level authorities  

Outcome 4: The Government of Chad has increased capacity in tracking and reporting organic waste generation and SLCP emissions through an improved MVR system by the end of the project.  

Indicator: Number of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems developed or updated that include SLCPs  

• Output 4.1: Organic waste reporting system developed and deployed to monitor generation across key sources.  
• Output 4.2: SLCP data from organic waste integrated into the national MVR system.  
• Output 4.3: Capacity-building conducted for national and local officials on data collection, reporting, and inventory improvements for the waste sector.  

Outcome 5: The Government of Chad endorses a project pipeline for methane mitigation from organic waste management by the end of the project.  

Indicator: Amount of external funding ("catalysed funding") for SLCP actions 

• Output 5.1: A project pipeline with 8-10 project ideas to scale up implementation of organic waste management practices developed including:    
  • Project name    
  • Sector    
  • Description    
  • Outcomes    
  • Implementing entities    
  • Stakeholders    
  • Link to policies, plans    
  • General timeline for Development, Financing, Implementation, and Operation    
  • Mitigation potential    
  • Co-benefits    
  • Investment needs    
  • Potential business model, financing strategy    
  • Gaps and barriers to implementation and proposed enabling mechanisms    
  • Financial sustainability    
  • Potential financing partners    
  • Enabling, Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Needs    
  • Information and MRV Needs
• Output 5.2: Recommendations for adequate financial instruments and funding mechanisms (ex. blended finance instruments, public-private partnerships, etc.)  
• Output 5.3. Workshop delivered to key stakeholders, from the financial sector, local and national governments, private sector to identify ways to make financial instruments available to finance organic waste management projects.  
• Output 5.4: Engagement with development finance institutions and potential co-financiers.  
• Output 5.5: Funding proposal drafted and submitted to a funding institution   

Reference number: [TD-25-002] Chad -Strategy and project pipeline for Organic Waste Management