National Consultant for Air Pollutant Emission Projections – Waste Sector

Result of Service

Deliverables

1. NFR inventory data for the Waste sector; collection of data, verification and updating of NFR inventory data for the Waste sector, including activity data, air pollutant emissions, and documentation of the methodologies and emission factors used.
2. Waste Sector Emission Projections: WM projections for 2030, 2035 and 2040 by pollutant and NFR category, WAM projections where necessary, and assessment against applicable ERCs.
3. Short Sectoral Report and Calculation Files: Technical report, editable calculations, quality assurance documentation, uncertainty assessment and recommendations for waste-related emission reduction measures.

All deliverables shall be submitted in English, with calculations and supporting datasets provided in editable formats, including Excel where appropriate.

Work Location

Chișinău, Moldova

Expected duration

Part-time / 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Waste 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 Waste 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 assignment will cover the relevant Waste sector source categories, including waste incineration and open burning, biological treatment of waste, wastewater handling and treatment, and other applicable sources included in Moldova’s national NFR inventory. The work will address the five pollutants subject to national ERCs, as well as other pollutants covered by the national inventory, where applicable, using historical inventory data, relevant activity data, emission factors and documented assumptions. 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 Waste 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 potential risks of non-compliance and the contribution of the Waste sector to national emission trends. With Additional Measures (WAM) emission projections will be prepared, where necessary, to assess the potential impact of additional policies and measures aimed at reducing emissions from waste management and wastewater treatment activities. 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 waste management and wastewater treatment activities.

Objectives

To prepare and update the Nomenclature for Reporting (NFR) inventory for the Waste sector for 2025 and develop 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 waste activity data

• Review historical emissions and relevant NFR inventory data for the Waste sector;
• Collect and analyse available data on municipal and other waste generation, waste composition, disposal sites, waste treatment, biological processing, wastewater collection and treatment, and open waste burning, where relevant;
• Review national waste management legislation, strategies, targets and adopted policies and measures;
• Identify data gaps, methodological limitations and uncertainties affecting the projections.

Task 2. Preparation of the WM scenario

• Establish the baseline year and document assumptions on waste generation, composition and management practices;
• Prepare activity projections for 2030, 2035 and 2040 by relevant NFR source category;
• Account for the expected effects of adopted policies and measures, including improvements in waste collection, diversion from disposal, recycling, biological treatment, wastewater treatment and other relevant changes in waste management practices;
• Apply the appropriate EMEP/EEA methodologies and emission factors;
• Calculate projected emissions by pollutant, NFR category and projection year.

Task 3. ERC assessment and WAM scenario / by necessity

• Where necessary, identify additional measures, including improved waste separation, reduced open burning, improved waste treatment and disposal practices, expanded wastewater treatment and other technically feasible measures;
• Estimate the expected emission reduction effects and prepare WAM projections where required;
• Document the assumptions, implementation timelines and data limitations associated with the additional measures.

Task 4. Quality assurance and conclusion on ERC for the Program of Air Quality Control

• Prepare sectoral projection tables, charts and editable calculation files;
• Document the methodologies, emission factors, assumptions and uncertainties applied in the calculations;
• Provide recommendations on waste-sector emission reduction priorities and their relevance to national air quality management and monitoring planning.

The assignment shall cover relevant NFR waste source categories, including, as applicable:

• 5.C.1.b - Industrial waste incineration - Clinical waste incineration: Emissions from the incineration of industrial waste, including hazardous waste and sewage sludge, with applicable subcategories for clinical waste and cremation. Only activities falling within the relevant NFR definitions should be included.
• 5.C.2 - Open burning of waste: Emissions from the uncontrolled burning of waste in open areas, including the burning of household waste and other waste where applicable. This is important to assess where waste is burned outside controlled treatment facilities.
• 5.D - Industrial Wastewater handling: Emissions from domestic and commercial wastewater collection and treatment, including relevant treatment processes and wastewater handling systems. Industrial wastewater should be included where covered by the applicable methodology and not reported elsewhere.
• 5.E - Other waste: Other waste-related emission sources not covered by categories 5.A–5.D. The category should be used only when the source is consistent with the NFR definition and cannot be assigned to a more specific category.

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.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental engineering, waste management, environmental sciences, civil 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 waste-sector emission inventories, waste management data analysis or air pollutant emission projections (Required)

Languages

Proficiency in written and spoken English and Romanian.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

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.