ICAT is seeking a grantee(s) to develop a series of specialised, multi-purpose transformational change assessment and reporting tools and approaches, based on the ICAT Transformational Change (TC) Methodology. The tools and approaches will expand and further develop the existing ICAT TC definition and facilitate application of the methodology for several purposes, specialised to different contexts and users, and targeted to different needs.

Background

The concept of Transformational Change has gained traction among climate change and sustainable development decision makers and practitioners, due to the radical changes required to meet the global goals for climate and sustainable development. In order to reach the aim of the Paris Agreement to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), societies must undergo fundamental, systemic shifts away from carbon intensive and unsustainable models of development. It is thus crucial that policies are developed to tackle GHG emissions, for instance, by avoiding further investments in fossil fuel infrastructure, promoting clean technologies, and enhancing sinks of GHGs, including forests.

From this context, a significant need has emerged to assess the transformational impacts of policies and actions, and understand whether they can catalyse a sustained paradigm shift in economic, political, social and technical systems. Methodologies such as the ICAT Transformational Change Methodology have been developed to meet part of this need, by providing a definition of TC for GHG mitigation, and a detailed approach to assessing the transformational impacts of policies and actions towards targets, such as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and SDGs. The methodology has been met with interest by governments, financial institutions and programmes as a basis for assessing the expected or achieved transformational impact of policies and actions. However, there is still a lot of potential to be gained from broadening the definition and facilitating its application through tools that allow it to be applied in many other relevant contexts.

Scope of work  

1. Expand the definition of TC to include adaptation policies and actions.
2. Develop an approach that enables comparison and aggregated assessment of the transformational impacts from a portfolio of policies and actions towards national or global goals.
3. Develop a targeted definition of TC for carbon market/Article 6 purposes along with a TC tool for transformative impact assessment and design of transformative programmes.
4. Develop a tool for assessment of investments by a fund and/or by companies, which want to demonstrate transformative impacts in line with the Paris Agreement, specific NDCs and/or the SDGs. Adapt the ICAT TC definition to be applied to investment portfolios.

Project duration

The grantee(s) are expected to start activities in July 2021 and complete work within a period of 12-15 months. The grantee should include indicative time-frames for the work in their proposals.

Impact and replication

The toolkit will enable a wide application of the ICAT transformational change methodology and broaden its possible use to other contexts. The development of the toolkit will also involve engagement with many different stakeholders, which will help to ensure a high level of relevance, engagement and usability. The approach developed should be applicable in developing countries and allow tailoring to different national circumstances.

Deadline

The deadline for submission is 31 May 2021  (by 17:00, Copenhagen, Denmark Time).

Questions and clarification?

Please contact Hannah Swee at hannahs@unops.org, no later than 24 May 2021 (17.00, Copenhagen, Denmark Time). Request for clarifications or questions submitted after the mentioned date will not be considered.

For additional information, supporting documents and instructions to submit, please visit the UN Global Marketplace.