LEAF Coalition Targeted Technical Assistance Facility

Descriptions

The Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition is a voluntary global coalition bringing together the private sector and governments to provide finance for tropical and subtropical forest conservation through carbon markets. The UK Government played a key role launching the LEAF Coalition in April 2021, alongside the US and Norwegian governments. At the World Leaders Summit at COP 26 the LEAF Coalition announced it met its initial goal of mobilising $1 billion USD for countries and states committed to increasing ambition to protect tropical and sub-tropical forests and reduce deforestation. At COP27 it announced that a further $500m has been mobilised, with 100% coming from private companies. Funding will be delivered to jurisdictions that successfully reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation. This will be done through payments for verified emission reductions - payments which are made only after reductions in deforestation have been independently confirmed. Due to the complexity and number of different requirements needed to transact carbon credits under the LEAF programme, the UK hopes to design a bespoke technical assistance (TA) programme to support countries that are close to signing emissions reductions payment agreements (ERPAs). And those where strategic projects and technical support could unblock national approval for subnational participation in LEAF. The LEAF TA programme would be demand led by forest country governments (with direct input from the Authority and Embassy colleagues) to find out what their specific needs and support requirements are. This would enable them to engage/sign up to the LEAF coalition more quickly and comfortably. The overall aim of the programme is to help them sign their ERPAs, generate the credits and ultimately received results-based payments. This Contract is for a TA delivery partner to lead on the design and implementation of this programme of support, working closely with the Authority and UK embassies. The Agreement is for £5,000,000 and for 2 years (the Initial Term). If agreed by both parties, the Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term by up to 24 months and up to an additional £3,000,000. This was published in the tender documentation.