National Consultant for Air Pollutant Emission Projections – Energy Sector

Deliverables 1. Energy Sector NFR Inventory Data and Methodology Note: Updated 2025 inventory data, historical emission trends, activity data, emission factors, assumptions and methodology. 2. Energy Sector Emission Projections: WM projections for 2030, 2035 and 2040 by pollutant and NFR category, including WAM projections where necessary and an assessment of the sector’s contribution to national ERCs. 3. Final Sectoral Report and Calculation Files: Technical report, editable calculations, documented assumptions, quality assurance and uncertainty assessment, and recommendations for air pollution control planning. All deliverables shall be submitted in English, with calculations and supporting datasets provided in editable formats, including Excel where appropriate.

Chișinău, Moldova

Part-time / 3 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.UNEP-CCC is a leading international advisory institution on energy, climate and sustainable development. Its work focuses on helping developing countries and emerging economies transition to low-carbon development pathways and supporting the integration of climate resilience into national development. UNEP-CCC is actively involved in the implementation of the UN Environment Climate Change Strategy and Energy Programme. The NDC Partnership Action Fund (PAF) implementation team in Moldova requires a National Consultant for Air Pollutant Emission Projections with a focus on energy related emissions. Moldova is preparing its 2026–2029 National Air Pollution Control Programme to meet national emission reduction targets for key air pollutants by 2030 and beyond. Under the NDC Partnership project, the consultant will develop and update relevant sectoral air pollutant inventory and emission projections to 2040 using international reporting standards and national energy data. The role is critical to supporting the Government of Moldova in delivering its air quality and climate commitments. The Republic of Moldova is developing the National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) for 2026–2029 in accordance with Article 8(d) of Law No. 98/2022 on Atmospheric Air Quality. The NAPCP addresses the national Emission Reduction Commitments (ERCs) established by Government Decision No. HG593/2024 of 28 August 2024 for nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), ammonia (NH₃) and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), with reduction targets for 2030–2039 and from 2040 onwards, relative to 2020 emission levels. Under the NDC Partnership Action Fund (PAF) Moldova Project, the Consultant will prepare and update the Energy sector air pollutant emission inventory in the relevant Nomenclature for Reporting (NFR) tables and develop emission projections through 2040, in accordance with the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) reporting requirements, Annex I to the 2023 CLRTAP Reporting Guidelines and the applicable EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook methodology. The work will cover relevant stationary combustion and fugitive emission source categories allocated to the Energy sector, excluding residential combustion and transport sources assigned to the respective sectoral consultants. The assessment will address the five pollutants subject to national ERCs, as applicable to the sources concerned, as well as other pollutants included in the national inventory where relevant. Historical emission inventory data, national energy balances, fuel consumption statistics, energy demand projections, emission factors and documented assumptions will be used to prepare consistent and transparent estimates. Based on the historical emission inventory and the effects of policies and measures already implemented or adopted, the Consultant will prepare With Measures (WM) emission projections for the Energy sector for the relevant NAPCP target years, including 2030, 2035 and 2040. The WM projections will be assessed in the context of national ERCs to identify the Energy sector’s contribution to national emission trends and potential risks of non-compliance. With Additional Measures (WAM) emission projections will be prepared, where necessary, to assess the potential impact of additional policies and measures, including energy efficiency improvements, fuel switching, renewable energy deployment, modernisation of combustion technologies and measures to reduce fugitive emissions, where applicable. The assignment will support CLRTAP inventory reporting, implementation of the NAPCP 2026–2029, national air pollution control planning, assessment of progress towards the ERCs and identification of priorities for reducing emissions from energy production and use. The objective is to prepare transparent and technically sound air pollutant emission projections for the Energy sector for 2030, 2035 and 2040, disaggregated by pollutant and relevant NFR source category, under the With Measures (WM) scenario and, where necessary, the With Additional Measures (WAM) scenario. Objectives: The objective is to prepare transparent and technically sound air pollutant emission projections for the Energy sector for 2030, 2035 and 2040, disaggregated by pollutant and relevant NFR source category, under the With Measures (WM) scenario and, where necessary, the With Additional Measures (WAM) scenario. Task 1. Review of the 2025 inventory and energy activity data, including: Review historical emission inventory data and relevant NFR categories for the Energy sector; Collect and analyse available data on fuel consumption by fuel type, combustion technology and source category; Use the national energy balances, electricity and heat generation data, energy demand forecasts, fuel substitution trends and relevant sectoral strategies; Review relevant policies and measures affecting energy production, fuel consumption, energy efficiency and fugitive emissions; Identify data gaps, inconsistencies and uncertainties affecting the inventory and projections; Update and document the relevant 2025 NFR inventory data in accordance with applicable CLRTAP reporting requirements. Task 2. Preparation of the WM scenario Establish the projection baseline and document assumptions, data sources and calculation methods; Develop activity projections for relevant NFR categories for 2030, 2035 and 2040; Assess the expected effects of implemented and adopted policies and measures, including energy efficiency improvements, changes in the fuel mix, renewable energy deployment and modernisation of combustion technologies; Develop projections for fugitive emissions where relevant and supported by activity data; Apply appropriate EMEP/EEA methodologies and emission factors, distinguishing fuel types and combustion technologies where data permit; Calculate projected emissions by pollutant, NFR category and projection year. Task 3. ERC assessment and WAM scenario Assess the Energy sector’s contribution to projected national emissions and the relevant ERCs; Identify emission trends, significant source categories and potential risks of non-compliance; Where necessary, identify additional technically feasible policies and measures and estimate their potential emission reduction effects under the WAM scenario; Consider additional measures such as cleaner fuels, improved combustion efficiency, modernisation of energy facilities, renewable energy deployment and fugitive emission reduction, as applicable; Document assumptions, implementation timelines and expected emission reduction effects. Task 4. Quality assurance and reporting Prepare sectoral projection tables, charts and editable calculation files; Document data sources, methodologies, assumptions and uncertainties; Revise the results based on consolidated comments from the project team and relevant national authorities; Prepare conclusions and recommendations to support national air pollution control planning and the implementation of the NAPCP. The assignment shall cover stationary energy-related combustion and fugitive emission sources classified under the applicable NFR Energy sector categories, excluding residential combustion and transport sources assigned to the respective sectoral consultants. The scope shall include, as applicable: 1.A.1 - Energy industries: Fuel combustion for public electricity and heat production, petroleum refining and other energy industry activities, where applicable. 1.B - Fugitive emissions from fuels: Emissions from the extraction, production, processing, storage, distribution and handling of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, as applicable to Moldova. 1.B.2 - Fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas: Fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas systems, including activities related to oil and gas supply and distribution infrastructure, where applicable in the Republic of Moldova. Other applicable NFR categories - Other stationary energy-related sources: Additional Energy sector source categories included in Moldova’s national NFR inventory, as confirmed by the Consultant. The pollutants to be assessed shall include NOx, NMVOCs, SO₂, NH₃ and PM₂.₅, where applicable to the sector source categories concerned for NFR and emissions projections calculation. The Consultant shall coordinate with the Team Leader and submit proposals for the ERC summary report.

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in energy engineering, environmental sciences, environmental engineering or a related discipline. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Minimum of 9 (nine) years of experience in energy statistics, air pollutant emission inventories, emission projections or energy-sector analysis (Required)

Proficiency in written and spoken English and Romanian.

Not available.