Call for Applications: Reducing Methane Emissions intensity from the Livestock Sector in Brazil

Deadline: 7-Jan-24

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is currently accepting applications to develop a strategy for supporting the reduction of methane emissions intensity from livestock production in the country.

This project responds to the request by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil.

Brazil has valuable experience in promoting the adoption of Sustainable Production Systems, Practices, Products and Processes (SPSABC), through the implementation of the Brazilian Plan for Adaptation and Low Carbon Emission in Agriculture (ABC Plan). The current period of implementation of the ABC Plan (so called ABC+ Plan) spans from 2020 to 2030 and targets the mitigation of GHG emissions corresponding to approximately 1 Gt of CO2 eq. It is structured on three conceptual bases: i) Integrated Landscape Approach (ILA); ii) permanent incentive for the adoption of SPSABC; iii) interconnection between climate change mitigation and adaptation. One of its main instruments is the Renovagro credit line, which sets socio-environmental requirements for technology investments.

Reducing methane emissions intensity is a promising pathway to mitigate emissions from livestock production, while increasing productivity. In line with this, the ABC+ Plan targets intensive fattening regimens until 2030, leading to the mitigation of 16.24 t CO2 eq. The adoption of intensive fattening termination regimens (either in pasture, semi-confinement, or feedlots) through the improvement of the availability of feed quantity and quality, reduces age to slaughtering, consequently, mitigating methane emissions. This can be done taking into consideration other animal husbandry and health dimensions promoted by Brazil.

The project will additionally support two other technologies fostered by the ABC+ plan, Recovery of Degraded Pastures (RDP) and Crop-Livestock-Forestry integration (CLFi), which recover productive capacity by increasing the production of plant biomass from forage crops while integrating agroforestry systems. These technologies not only make the production system more efficient, which consequently reduces enteric methane (CH4) emissions, but also reduce the pressure to transform new native areas for pastures and preserve existing native areas. The ABC+ plan sets the targets for increasing the adoption of RDP on more than 30 million hectares and of CFLi on 10 million hectares, with a mitigation potential of 114 million tCO2e and 38 million tCO2e, respectively. One of the goals is to provide positive incentives for supporting the adoption, implementation, and enhancement of the selected technologies by farmers, while helping them to comply with Brazilian environmental legislations (eg. the Forest code).

The actions of this project should support farmers of various sizes without excluding small holders. The project should consider existing policies, studies and technologies, as well as involve stakeholders to promote an integrated approach for the reduction of methane emissions in the livestock sector.

Funding Information

• Estimated project cost: US$ 1,200,000 – US$ 1,500,000.

Expected Results

• Applicants are encouraged to propose additional outputs as needed to ensure the expected project outcomes are achieved. Applicants can determine the scope of outputs if not specified. The project is expected to deliver at a minimum:
  • A strategy for supporting the reduction of methane emissions intensity from livestock production and recommendations 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: Organize consultation meetings with stakeholders such as researchers from Embrapa, farmers and policymakers.
    • Output 1.2: Subnational ABC+ Management Groups are supported by the project.
    • Output 1.3: Subnational action plans are implemented at State level.
  • A strategy for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of the reduction of methane emissions intensity from livestock production is developed and put into practice 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: ABC Plan Information System (SINABC) incorporates the MRV strategy for reducing methane emissions intensity from livestock production.
    • Output 2.2: MRV data on reducing methane emissions intensity from livestock production is released by the end of the project or soon after.
  • 3,000 farmers are trained on the implementation of measures to reduce methane emissions intensity from the livestock sector based on Technological Reference Units (TRUs) by the end of the project.
    • Indicator: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted.
    • Output 3.1: Feasibility studies
    • Output 3.2: Sustainability impact assessment
    • Output 3.3: Mapping of financing sources
    • Output 3.4: Delivery of seminars, field days, etc.
    • Output 3.5: Technological Reference Units (TRUs) are set up

Eligibility Criteria

• 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. Governments are not eligible to apply directly for funding in this call.
  • 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.
• 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.

For more information, visit Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).