Carbon Accounting - Climate Transparency - Data Science

Result of ServiceThe consultant will continue developing analysis of existing data sets, such as national GHG inventories, third Party measurement initiatives (climate Trace, and Edgar) and the respective methodologies.. The consultant will develop an assessment of the main scientific vacuums and methodological difficulties faced by countries on meeting their reporting commits to the UNFCCC and on third party measurement initiatives on providing information and data. While countries are required to compile national GHG inventories, third-party measurement initiatives (TPMIs) – including satellite observations, NGO-led platforms, and independent modelling tools – are increasingly complementing or challenging official data. This report will explore how TPMIs can strengthen the accuracy, completeness, and trust in national GHG inventories, not only through methodological comparison but by addressing structural, institutional, and governance issues that affect inventory quality and use. Work LocationHome based Expected durationFull-time Duties and ResponsibilitiesUN Environment Programme (Global Climate Action Unit) is the DRI of the Climate Science and Transparency Programme Coordination Project (CS&T PCP). CS&T aims at contributing to the long-term climate stability objectives of the MTS, through transparent reporting and enhanced global climate action. The program's objective is to strengthen UNEP's role in supporting high-quality, credible, open, and disaggregated climate and environmental data, information, statistics, and early warning, as well as scientific assessments and expertise while providing technical and financial support to countries in reporting under the UNFCCC to achieve the following outcome: State and non-state actors adopt the Enhanced Transparency Framework arrangements under the Paris Agreement. By engaging with various stakeholders, including national and local governments, international partners, and UN agencies, the program aims to overcome barriers to reporting, monitoring, and verifying/evaluating climate actions, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. National greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories serve as the primary source of information for generating reports to the UNFCCC, including National Communications, Biennial Update Reports (BURs), and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). These data play a crucial role in providing international policy guidance for addressing climate change through the UNFCCC negotiation process and are also expected to inform national policymaking. However, the accuracy of GHG inventories remains a challenge due to methodological, procedural, and infrastructural complexities in data collection, measurement, processing, and storage, as well as financial constraints on investing in transparency. Advances in digital technology for data collection and processing have shown promising opportunities to improve accuracy and reduce costs in national and global transparency efforts. For example, remote sensing provides low-cost, accurate, and recurrent data on methane emissions, and AI can increasingly track transactions tagged with GHG data. Despite these advancements, national GHG accounting and reporting to the UNFCCC often operate separately from the latest digital data collection and processing initiatives. Recognizing this gap, UNEP's Climate Science and Transparency Programme has identified the need for a comparative analysis between national GHG inventories and data from third party systems such as Climate Trace, Global Forest Watch, EDGAR, and MARS. This study aims to test existing systems' data and compare them with national GHG inventory data. If both datasets are sufficiently aligned, this would: a) provide third-party validation of national GHG inventories and their accuracy, and b) offer an additional reference point to further advance digital transparency solutions. If national reporting, GHG accounting, and digitally produced data do not align, UNEP, partner countries, and organizations will need to conduct further studies to investigate the reasons behind such discrepancies. Additionally, it’s strategic to go beyond data and methodological comparisons and focus on systemic, institutional, and technological enablers that can improve accuracy, access, and transparency. The extension of this Consultancy will address these issues by producing a technical report on “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Accuracy, Access, and Transparency in National GHG Inventories and Third-Party Measurement Initiatives” Objective: The consultant will support S&T Programme management and in the assessment of challenges of UNFCCC parties in meeting their reporting obligations, including methodological difficulties and data processing issues of national GHG inventories and in the management and data integration national platforms. The objective of the Technical Report is to assess the potential and challenges of enhancing data accuracy, transparency, and accessibility, and to provide actionable recommendations to strengthen institutional frameworks, governance, and stakeholder collaboration under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework. Output Expectations: Objective 1: To assess the current state of alignment and divergence between national GHG inventories and third-party measurement initiatives (TPMIs) Expected Outputs: • Comparative mapping of methodologies, emission factors, spatial/temporal resolution, and sectoral coverage. • Case studies illustrating areas of alignment or conflict between national inventories and TPMIs. • Matrix summarizing methodological consistencies and discrepancies across key subsectors (e.g., energy, AFOLU, waste).. • Summary of how discrepancies affect reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework. Objective 2: To identify institutional, legal, and operational barriers to integrating third-party data into national systems Expected Outputs: • Synthesis of stakeholder interviews and/or surveys across selected countries. • Inventory of legal and policy constraints limiting use of TPMIs (e.g., data sovereignty, liability, confidentiality). • Assessment of institutional readiness and capacity gaps. • Typology of operational barriers (e.g., lack of interoperability, differing QA/QC protocols). Objective 3: To explore opportunities for using TPMIs to enhance data accessibility, transparency, and public trust Expected Outputs: • Evaluation of TPMI initiatives with public-access platforms and open data policies. • Identification of successful models or pilots where TPMIs improved stakeholder engagement or trust. • Framework for assessing the credibility, replicability, and communicability of TPMI data. • Recommendations for public communication and visualization tools. Objective 4: To propose governance models, institutional frameworks, and safeguards for integrating TPMIs in national inventory processes Expected Outputs: • Options paper presenting governance models (e.g., advisory panels, third-party validation frameworks, MOUs). • Analysis of risks and safeguards (e.g., political misuse, data manipulation, privacy breaches). • Institutional mapping of roles/responsibilities between governments and TPMI actors. • Model data-sharing and verification protocols adaptable to national contexts. Objective 5: To provide actionable recommendations to policymakers, inventory compilers, and funders on how to enhance collaboration and improve national reporting systems Expected Outputs: • Policy briefs with targeted recommendations for inventory agencies and relevant ministries. • Operational checklist for integrating TPMI data for the studied key subsectors (by sector, scope, and confidence level). • Guidance notes for funders on supporting interoperable, inclusive, and transparent MRV systems. • Slide deck summarizing key findings and recommendations for presentation to national or international audiences. Performance indicators will be the following: • The effectiveness and management of the work. • Quality, reliability and pertinence of gathered information. • Usefulness and quality of the information and recommendations provided to the S&T PCP. • Speediness and quality of emails and communications with UNEP staff. The consultant will: • Conduct technical report The consultant will: • Conduct a global review of TPMIs relevant to national inventory development (e.g., Climate TRACE, Carbon Monitor, EDGAR, satellite-based GHG tracking). • Analyse selected country case studies where third-party data has supported, supplemented, or challenged national inventories. • Investigate institutional challenges to integrating TPMIs, including trust, political sensitivity, legal recognition, and capacity limitations. • Assess the potential of TPMIs to increase transparency and promote accountability in national and international reporting processes. • Propose options for institutional frameworks that promote cooperation between national inventory systems and third-party initiatives. • Examine the implications of such integration for countries’ Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and participation in Article 6 carbon markets. International travel will be required for this consultancy. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced degree in the field of environmental engineering, data science, statistics, or similar is required. Proficiency in advanced data processing methods, knowledge of IPCC methodologies, and the UNFCCC tools and software. Strong experience in UNFCCC reporting, including development of national GHG inventories and NDC tracking is required. Knowledge of cutting-edge climate science, methodologies for carbon accounting, and reporting for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies. Experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring transparency and accuracy in climate-related information. LanguagesEnglish is the working language of the UN. Additional InformationThe consultant will: 1. CS&T PCP management support The consultant will support the Climate Science and Transparency Programme Coordination Project (CS&T PCP) Management to ensure efficient operation, coordination, and implementation of the programme's activities, facilitating the achievement of its goals and objectives. Specific tasks and responsibilities • PCP coordination and Monitoring. Assist in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the CS&T PCP projects. Track project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure they are met on schedule. Prepare regular progress reports and updates for the management team. • Data Management and Analysis. Collect, organize, and maintain project-related data and documentation. Conduct data analysis to support decision-making and project evaluations. Communication. Serve as a point of contact between the CS&T PCP management team, and internal UNEP teams. Facilitate effective communication and information flow among all parties involved. Draft and disseminate correspondence, meeting agendas, minutes, and other relevant documents. Logistical Support. Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, and events related to the CS&T PCP. Handle logistical arrangements, including venue booking, travel coordination, and participant communication. Ensure that all logistical aspects are executed smoothly and efficiently. Financial Administration. Support the financial management of the CS&T PCP, including budget tracking and expenditure monitoring. Prepare financial reports and assist in the preparation of funding proposals. Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures. Reporting and Documentation. Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external audiences. Ensure that all project documentation is up-to-date, organized, and accessible. Feedback and Improvement. Gather feedback from UNEP team members to identify areas for improvement. Implement changes and enhancements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the CS&T PCP. 2. CS&T PCP technical support Specific tasks and responsibilities • Conduct a foundational investigation This foundational investigation is based on the initial findings conducted by the Climate Action subprogramme. The team compared data from 8 national inventories (4 Annex I Parties and 4 non-Annex I Parties) and Climate Trace data sets. This initial comparison concluded that there are some discrepancies in total emissions for Annex I Parties and discrepancies in emissions per gas. Climate Trace and national inventories also do not use the same sector categories. Climate Trace uses Agriculture, Buildings, Fluorinated Gases, Fossil fuel operations, Forestry and Land Use, Manufacturing, Mineral extraction, Power, Transportation and Waste. National inventories, following the 2006 IPCC guidelines use Buildings, Industry, Energy, AFOLU and Transport. The consultant will review these initial findings and will conduct the same investigation with data from EDGAR. • Methodologies comparison The consultant will conduct an analysis of the methodologies from third-party systems and national inventories is essential to determine if a comparison between these two entities is even possible. If the methodologies don’t align, it will be difficult to come up with relevant results. • Identification of countries to be engaged in a comprehensive comparative analysis The consultant will seek to pick 14 countries with different circumstances (economies in transition, developed countries and smaller developing countries) to participate in this country inventory assessment. Country selection will be based on country willingness, ongoing transparency activities, advanced GHG accounting and reporting, and where there is already a good working relationship to build upon. • Conduct study • The consultant will conduct the study which consists of analysing the differences and similarities between national inventory data and data from third party systems. • Conduct an extensive desk review of existing national GHG inventories, scientific literature, and UNFCCC documentation to identify gaps and methodological challenges. • Analyze previous reports and identify common issues and recurring gaps in the scientific data and methodologies used by countries. • Engage with key stakeholders, including national climate agencies, scientific institutions, and relevant government departments, to gather insights on challenges faced in reporting. • Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, or workshops to understand the perspectives of those involved in the reporting process. • Evaluate the existing capacity within countries to collect, process, and report scientific data related to climate change. • Identify areas where additional capacity-building efforts may be required to address scientific vacuums. • Provide recommendations The consultant will produce results based on the analysis of methodologies and the country inventory assessment and recommendations on whether this country inventory assessment could lead to a wider UNEP project where multiple countries would be engaged, and we would build up interactions between national systems and international systems. • Develop comprehensive guidance documents that address specific methodological challenges identified during the assessment. • Provide clear instructions and best practices for countries to improve the accuracy and reliability of their reported data. • Organize workshops and training sessions for national stakeholders to disseminate guidance on addressing scientific gaps and improving reporting methodologies. • Tailor workshops to specific challenges identified in different countries. • Define indicators and criteria that capture the quality and comprehensiveness of scientific data in national reports. • Document the entire assessment process, including methodologies used, challenges faced, and lessons learned. • Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate findings to UNFCCC stakeholders. No FeeTHE 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.