The coordination capacity and the assessment will deliver a pathway to better implementation of air quality programs:
• The activities will build air quality coordination capacity in India and also facilitate creating and consolidating the links between air quality and climate change stakeholders in India, including the government institutions, civil society and donors.
• The assessment will serve as a platform and convening venue for analyzing and synthesizing the most up-to-date and policy relevant information for policy and decision making in relation to improving air quality, which will energize existing efforts and build upon established governmental processes, including Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) activities.
New Dehli, India
Nine months actual work in 9 months contract time – March 2021 to December 2021.
Air pollution is one of the leading health risks in India. Addressing the problem effectively requires Reliable, Regular, Systematic and Authoritative assessment to inform both policy development and successful implementation.
Air quality is an important issue for cities across India, as they develop rapidly, and many emission sources remain largely unconstrained. Pollutant emissions and consequently air pollutant concentrations are unnecessarily large due to lack of knowledge, planning, or poor enforcement. Importantly, a large proportion of the poorer parts of the population across India is still dependent on the use of solid biomass for cooking and heating and impacts to health are largely attributed to exposure from particles and gases originating from these sources, disproportionately affecting women and children, in both urban and rural areas.
While availability of ambient air quality concentrations and air pollutant emissions data remains an issue in India, in recent years there has been a significant increase in the interest, ambition and resourcing of work being done in India on air quality and emissions monitoring and inventories. Such data can now be harnessed to review progress towards meeting the requirements of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and give an overview of previous and current policies, and future policy actions and other interventions that could achieve safe air quality levels –with numerous benefits for public health, economic development and the climate.
The assignment concerns the production of a regular assessment product in collaboration aiming to achieve effective communication of drivers, pressures, status, impacts and policy response, and coordination among actors to improve air quality, targeting policy and decision makers, in direct support to implementation of India’s National Clean Air Programme.
An important aspect of the assessment process will be undertaking it in close consultation with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this way providing also additional capacity to CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to tackle air pollution.
Data collection, data analysis, interpretation and assessment writing will be undertaken by an air quality analyst housed by CPCB.
Specific responsibilities include:
a) Data collection
The data collection will involve a two-step approach:
- Collection of air quality data from CPCB’s monitoring stations, satellites, and from literature review of all the studies on air quality assessment of different air pollutants across India to know the geographical variation.
- Further detailed data on sectoral contributions in emissions inventories and ambient concentration of pollutants over the years with more emphasis recent trends based on literature survey.
b) Data analysis and interpretation, drafting chapters
Data analysis will involve following steps:
- The dataset collected from different sources and indigenous studies will be compiled and analysed to present the temporal, spatial and sectoral impacts of various air pollutants.
- Further the impacts from some of the mitigation policies implemented or in planning stages will be analysed based on literature.
- The resultant co-benefits from implementation of such policies on food security, health and climate will be assessed based on literature.
- The progress of some of policies in meeting the legislative requirement in India and the NCAP targets will evaluated wherever possible. Further response required to meet such targets will be suggested.
c) Air quality progress report compilation and final drafting
- Based on the interpretation of air quality datasets collected, the comprehensive report will be compiled in consultation with TERI, CERCA, UNEP, CCAC Secretariat and stakeholders especially CPCB.
- Emphasis of the report will be to present the annual trends of chosen indicators in air quality in recent years.
- Address any data and information gaps and prescribe thereafter the recommendations for the way forward.
- Identify and interview a sample of 20 high-level exponents of the target audience at the three levels of governance (central government, states, cities) to express if the Assessment findings are/will be used to set priorities for action.
Skills: • Demonstrated ability to perform environmental assessments and working effectively with multiple stakeholders including national and sub-national government entities.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations).
Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in environmental science/engineering or related field.
Experience: • Minimum of five-year Post Master’s professional experience in the field of environment.
• A solid understanding of air pollution and climate related emissions reduction policies, air quality data, air quality standards and regulations in India.
• Environmental assessment experience from India.
• Experience dealing with developing countries and international institutions is an asset.
• Experience working with the Central Pollution Control Board in India desirable.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is desirable but not mandatory.
• Familiarity with project management tools and reporting cycles.
• Experience in the usage of analytical tools and software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language: For the post advertised fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.
No travel is required for this consultancy
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