National Consultant for Air Pollutant Emission Projections – Transport Sector

Deliverables 1. Transport Data and Methodology Note: Historical emission trends, activity data, fleet assumptions, emission factors and policy review. 2. Transport Emission Projections: WM projections for 2030, 2035 and 2040 by pollutant and NFR category; WAM projections where necessary; and assessment against applicable ERCs. 3. Final Sectoral Report and Calculation Files: Technical report, editable calculations, quality assurance documentation and recommendations for transport-related air pollution control. 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 transport 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 Transport sector air pollutant emission inventory in the relevant Nomenclature for Reporting (NFR) tables and develop emission projections through 2040, in accordance with the reporting requirements of the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), Annex I to the 2023 CLRTAP Reporting Guidelines and the applicable EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook methodology. The work will cover relevant transport-related emission source categories allocated to the Transport sector, excluding stationary combustion and other sources assigned to the respective sectoral consultants. The assessment will address the five pollutants subject to national ERCs, where applicable to the sources concerned, as well as other pollutants included in the national inventory where relevant. Historical emission inventory data, national fuel consumption statistics, vehicle fleet data, transport activity indicators, vehicle-kilometres travelled, fuel types and consumption, emission factors and documented assumptions will be used to prepare consistent and transparent estimates. Where relevant data are available, the assessment will consider road transport, railways, domestic navigation and other transport-related sources included in Moldova’s national NFR inventory, ensuring consistency with the latest reported inventory and avoiding double counting between sectors. 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 Transport 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 Transport 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 vehicle fleet renewal, improved fuel quality, electrification of transport, promotion of public transport and active mobility, improved transport efficiency and measures to reduce emissions from conventional vehicles, 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 transport activities. Objectives: The objective is to prepare and update the Transport sector air pollutant emission inventory for 2025 and develop transparent and technically sound air pollutant emission projections 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 historical emissions and transport activity Review historical transport-sector emissions and available NFR inventory data; Collect and analyse vehicle fleet statistics, vehicle-kilometres travelled, passenger and freight activity, fuel consumption, vehicle age and technology distribution, where available; Review national transport strategies, mobility plans, vehicle standards, fuel quality requirements and measures affecting transport emissions; Identify data gaps and uncertainties in the historical inventory and activity projections. Task 2. Preparation of the WM scenario Establish the baseline year and document the assumptions used; Prepare transport activity and fleet projections for 2030, 2035 and 2040; Account for expected changes in vehicle numbers, fleet composition, vehicle technologies, fuel types, transport demand and emission-control technologies; Apply the relevant EMEP/EEA methodologies and emission factors, including appropriate differentiation by vehicle category, fuel and emission standard where supported by data. Calculate projected emissions by pollutant, NFR category and projection year. Task 3. Assessment of ERCs and WAM scenario Assess projected transport emissions and their contribution to national ERC compliance; Identify transport categories and pollutants with the highest projected emissions or emission reduction gaps; Where necessary, assess additional measures, such as improved vehicle standards and inspection, fleet renewal, public transport development, modal shift, active mobility and electrification, where relevant and supported by evidence; Estimate the expected emission reduction effects of the proposed additional measures and prepare WAM projections where required. Task 4. Quality assurance and recommendations Prepare sectoral tables, charts and editable calculation files; Document the methodologies, assumptions, emission factors, uncertainties and data sources; Provide recommendations on transport-related air pollution control priorities and the use of projections in air quality management and monitoring planning. The assignment shall cover relevant transport emission sources under the applicable NFR classification, including, as relevant: 1A2- Manufacturing Industry: In Industry, stationary combustion in manufacturing industries and construction: Iron and steel, Chemicals, Pulp, Paper and Print, Food processing, beverages and tobacco, Non-metallic minerals, Other (please specify) 1.A.3.a - Civil aviation: Emissions from domestic civil aviation, where applicable to Moldova’s national inventory. 1.A.3.b - Road transport: Emissions from road vehicles, including passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, buses and motorcycles, disaggregated by vehicle category and fuel type where data permit. 1.A.3.c – Railways: Emissions from fuel combustion in railway transport, where applicable. 1.A.3.d - Domestic navigation: Emissions from domestic waterborne transport, where applicable. 1.A.3.e - Other transportation: Emissions from other transport-related activities included in the applicable NFR classification, where relevant. The Transport Sector Consultant shall also act as the Team Leader and shall be responsible for coordinating and reviewing the work of all sectoral consultants, verifying the consistency and quality of their deliverables, consolidating the sectoral inventory data and emission projections, and preparing the national ERC Summary Report. The Team Leader shall ensure consistency across sectors, avoid double counting of emissions, and consolidate the assessment of projected emissions against Moldova’s national Emission Reduction Commitments (ERCs). All other sectoral consultants shall coordinate closely with the Team Leader and provide the required sectoral inventory data, emission projections, supporting calculations and technical inputs within the agreed deadlines.

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in transport engineering, environmental sciences, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering or a related field. 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 transport emission inventories, vehicle fleet analysis, transport activity modelling or emission projections (Required)

Proficiency in written and spoken English and Romanian.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.