Deadline: August 6th, 2025
22/07/2025 – 06/08/2025
Background
The livestock sector is essential to global food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development. However, it is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to meet international climate goals, the sector must transition toward more sustainable, resilient and low-emission production systems.
Carbon markets – both compliant and voluntary – offer a mechanism for this shift by certifying and trading greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation outcomes as carbon credits through compliant or voluntary carbon markets. These markets allow for the certification and trading of emissions reductions as carbon credits. Engagement in carbon markets can help countries and livestock stakeholders in the livestock sector to meet their climate targets, attract investment, and improve the livelihoods of farmers. Generating carbon credits in the livestock sector offers an opportunity for farmers to get additional income while contributing to Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, SDG13. Participation in carbon markets in the livestock sector can help Members and other stakeholders to offset and inset emissions, attract investment, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods. However, challenges such as strong measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) complexities, market access, and smallholder equity must be addressed.
FAO is initiating a process to develop a “Technical guide on opportunities and risks for Members to participate in compliant and voluntary carbon markets within the livestock sector.” The development of this technical guide responds to the recommendation from FAO members during the 2nd session of the Committee on Agriculture, Sub-Committee on Livestock. This technical guide will provide clear, practical recommendations for Members on how to engage effectively and responsibly in voluntary and compliant carbon markets in the livestock sector.
To initiate the process, FAO will select a drafting team for the technical guidance document and organize a technical consultation workshop with the drafting team, bringing together experts in carbon markets for livestock agrifood systems.
Objective of the consultation
The objective of the technical consultation meeting is to facilitate a structured and inclusive first exchange with the drafting team. This consultation aims to:
- Foster dialogue and knowledge sharing with the drafting team on existing technical guidance and handbooks on carbon market in agrifood systems.
- Identify the opportunities and risks associated with participation in carbon markets, particularly concerning environmental integrity, social equity, and economic viability.
- Set the foundation for the development of a comprehensive technical guidance document by defining its goal, scope, and structure.
- Build consensus on the roadmap and key milestones for drafting, reviewing, and publishing the technical guidance document, ensuring alignment with international climate frameworks while addressing practical implementation challenges of Members.
- The meeting will ensure the guidance aligns with international climate frameworks and meets the practical needs of Members.
Expected outputs
- A finalized roadmap detailing the key stages, responsibilities, and timelines for drafting, reviewing, and publishing the guidance document on risks and opportunities associated with participation in compliance and voluntary carbon markets in the livestock sector.
- Defined outline, goal, and scope of the guidance document, reflecting a shared understanding among experts and key themes.
- A well-defined Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the technical guidance document, detailing the required areas of expertise, and specifying roles and responsibilities.
General criteria and expertise required
General criteria for selection include:
- Working knowledge of English
- Skilled in team working and hence in constructively sharing views and knowledge
- Respect for the cultural and scientific diversity of the experts
Technical experts will be selected based on their skills and experience and should have a strong background in one or more of the following subjects:
- Experience in compliance and voluntary carbon markets
- Knowledge of MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) frameworks to monitor GHG emissions reduction
- Expertise in policy development related to carbon markets, climate finance and climate action
- Background in sustainable livestock production and emissions reduction strategies
- Experience working with developing countries and smallholder farmers.
Selection of experts and timeline
Applicants’ curricula vitae (CV) will be reviewed based upon the criteria an expertise listed above. In addition, in selecting the experts, FAO will consider diversity and complementarities of scientific backgrounds, and balanced representation from geographic regions, including developing and developed countries, as well as gender balance. Candidates are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to this technical expert group. Selected experts will fill out a conflict of interest disclosure form before the assignment
Applications will be screened and shortlisted in August 2025. The final selection will be made in the first week of September 2025, and candidates will be invited thereafter.
Appointment of experts: conditions and principles
The designated experts will not receive any remuneration. However, when an in-person expert meeting or field visit is held, costs for travel and accommodation, subsistence allowances and other related expenses will be covered by FAO. The selected experts will be invited to contribute to the meeting only in their individual scientific capacity, and not in their capacity as a representative of any country or institution, in line with the principles of transparency, objectivity and independence.
Applications
Interested experts are invited to submit a CV in English and a brief statement of relevant experience (maximum one page).
Deadline
Please submit the CV at your earliest convenience, but no later than August 6th, 2025, to: enteric-methane@fao.org
Source : FAO, 2025
