RFPs: Building the case for action on Super Pollutant Tropospheric Ozone (Global South)

The project will require:

• providing a policy-relevant explainer on tropospheric ozone and its climate, health and agricultural impacts;
• collating case studies of past successes in mitigating tropospheric ozone and – where this is not already undertaken – to build on these case studies to estimate the climate, agricultural and health benefits that are associated with the reductions achieved;
• developing a suite of recommendations for each set of key stakeholders (policy makers, the research community, industry etc.) for advancing global action on tropospheric ozone;
• packaging the work completed in phases 1-3 into a concise and compelling narrative and final output;
• disseminating and driving engagement during COP29; and
• supporting post-COP29 activities including follow-up with key stakeholders and planning for continued momentum-building on tropospheric ozone and super pollutants generally.

Objectives and Activities

• The objectives of this project are set out below. Prospective activities are listed under each objective. Proposals with additional or alternative ideas are welcome, where relevant.
  • Deliver a compelling, designed policy briefing/s outlining the case for action on tropospheric ozone to secure fast climate mitigation. This may require several reports for different audiences, including a 5-10 page, non-technical report for policymakers and a longer report for more technical stakeholders. This work should include:
    • An overarching narrative centering tropospheric ozone within the climate and super pollutants agenda at C0P29 with a positive framing as an opportunity to affect change in the next few years.
    • A simple policy-relevant explainer on tropospheric ozone, including how it interacts with other key designated pollutants or climate forcers (e.g. methane, NMVOCs, NOx, COIand the resultant different impacts on concentrations on each of these in different spatio-temporal contexts; its climate, health and agricultural impacts; its global trends via both observed and modelled levels particularly in regions facing notable ozone challenges; and its relevant significance within the broader climate challenge.
    • An overview of the key policy options and management measures available for tackling elevated concentrations of tropospheric ozone. This should describe the potential win-wins and trade-offs for other designated pollutants/climate forcers, if and how policy measures should be selected and adapted to reflect key impacting parameters (e.g. emissions of precursors, climatic conditions).
    • Identification and analysis for at least 5 case study success stories on tackling ozone. These will showcase work in different geographies and source components and will emphasize the influence of regulatory frameworks, enforcement, and technical solutions that have led to ozone reduction across different spatial scales.
    • Where it is not already done, to compile as far as possible, quantitative estimates of the climate, health and agricultural benefits of the reductions in tropospheric ozone concentrations achieved.
    • A list of key recommendations and next steps for each key stakeholder group (e.g. policy makers, scientific researchers, industry, NGOs etc) conveyed as a call to action for governments, international development funders, and philanthropic foundations with clear recommendations for future work in this space.
    • Establish an advisory group comprised of a diverse range of expert stakeholders to provide high-level input into the project.
    • Proposed activities:
      • Literature review on the latest research and evidence covering tropospheric ozone, precursor emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and its climate, health and agricultural impacts.
      • Assessment of key policy options for tropospheric ozone, how such measures impact on other designated air pollutants and climate forcers and how policy might need to be adapted to different spatio-temporal environments and contexts.
      • Build a strong overarching narrative, alongside Clean Air Fund and other partners, to deliver a compelling and simple message on a complex topic, including how efforts on tropospheric ozone fit within the broader drive to tackle super pollutants
      • Compiling case studies of success stories of reducing tropospheric ozone levels and developing an approach/method for analysing the climate and air quality benefits of these. This may include engaging relevant government representatives in the case study and collating quotes for the final report.
      • Draft report with a focus on displaying information through diagrams and visualisations.
      • Collaborate with the Clean Air Fund team to revise the and deliver a final draft.
      • Support the design and visualization of report in collaboration with Clean Air Fund’s communications and design partners.
  • Support Clean Air Fund’s communications partner with a media and digital launch of the report during COP29, to drive interest and awareness with key stakeholders and global media. The digital launch, amplification on social media and via media coverage will be led by the Clean Air Fund’s comms team/agency. The selected supplier will comment on the draft media release and must consider this launch when shaping and producing the report and policy recommendations.
    • Proposed activities:
      • Collaborate as needed with Clean Air Fund and partner communications agency on development of a press release, launch video, social media toolkit etc., with input from project partners.
      • Support the report launch in-person (preferred) or online at C0P29 through participation of senior stakeholders at events and dissemination of report to networks and key contacts.
      • Acknowledging limited time ahead of C0P29, work with Clean Air Fund and partners to effectively plan and maximise engagement and advocacy through side events, speaker panels and other potential outreach activities. They welcome applicants to recommend and suggest opportunities to drive engagement in the lead up to and at COP29.
  • Post-00P29, develop a blueprint for how to advance action on tropospheric ozone over the period 2025-2028 and work towards consensus with key stakeholders on next steps.
    • Proposed activities:
      • Support follow-ups from C0P29 outcomes.
      • Convene key stakeholders to get inputs from the research community, philanthropy, governments and intergovernmental organisations.
      • Develop a blueprint (written output) for activities needed to advance action on tropospheric ozone over the next three years, including cost estimates and proposed roles and responsibilities.
      • Lead C0P29 and report wash-up and reflection on lessons learned.

Funding Information

• A budget, including day rate, number of days anticipated and other relevant budget lines, up to a maximum of USD S400,000, including all applicable taxes.

Target Audience 

• Wide range of climate stakeholders present at C0P29, including:
  • National policy makers from the most influential countries, the highest contributors to ozone and most affected by ozone;
  • The wider philanthropic and development funding community to encourage more funding going towards the super pollutants movement.
  • The broader ecosystem of IGOs, INGOs and technical experts whose work influences the above stakeholders.

Criteria

• They are looking for organisations/consultants either as individuals or as part of a consortia proposal with strong existing knowledge and experience of climate change, short-lived climate pollutants and air pollution to deliver this work. Experience in translating complex science into policy-relevant documents is also crucial. Experience with government relations and advocacy is also preferable. Bids encompassing Global South organisations/experts are particularly welcome, as they are interested in prioritising Global South perspectives in their work.
• They welcome suggestions from partners on additional, optional activities within the project budget, e.g. to bolster communications efforts, maximise advocacy and engagement at C0P29, strengthen government relations activities, advance knowledge efforts with additional scientific activities, or deepen engagement of other priority stakeholders such as in the food and agriculture sector.

For more information, visit Clean Air Fund.