Senior Technical Consultant for the Brazilian Emissions Trading

Result of Service

UNEP requires the Senior Technical Consultant for the Glass and Ceramics Sector Baseline Study to lead the technical development of a Sectoral Baseline Study for the glass and ceramics manufacturing sector (CNAE C, division 23 — Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products) as a direct technical input to the Ministry of Finance of Brazil for the design of the sectoral regulations of the SBCE. The consultant will work in coordination with the Ministry of Finance of Brazil, the SBCE Permanent Technical Advisory Committee, the Working Groups in charge of providing technical support to the SBCE implementation process, the UNEP FI LAC Policy team and, where relevant, with the Senior Technical Consultants in charge of the parallel sectoral baseline studies (in particular the Chemicals baseline study), to ensure methodological consistency across UNEP FI's contributions to the SBCE.

Institutional context — interlinkage between the SBCE and the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (TSB) The Ministry of Finance of Brazil has requested UNEP FI's support not only in developing the Sectoral Baseline Studies for the SBCE, but also in articulating a concrete technical link between the SBCE and the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (TSB). The Sectoral Baseline Studies developed under this consultancy are the methodological bridge between the two instruments. Accordingly, the methodology adopted under this consultancy must (i) take into account the decarbonization pathways and the technical screening criteria already developed for the glass and ceramics sector and its constituent activities under the TSB, and (ii) be designed so that the resulting baselines can also serve as reference benchmarks under the TSB.

This principle of methodological consistency applies symmetrically across UNEP FI's broader engagement with Brazil: the Sectoral Baseline Studies for all SBCE-priority sectors (chemicals, glass and ceramics, and any others developed by UNEP FI or by other institutions in coordination with the Ministry of Finance) must consider the baselines and decarbonization pathways developed for the corresponding sectors under the TSB; and the TSB technical criteria for those sectors will, in turn, incorporate the benchmarks produced under the SBCE Sectoral Baseline Studies.

Two-phase structure of the assignment Phase I — Sectoral Scoping, Regulatory Perimeter and Threshold Identification for the Glass and Ceramics Sector. A document containing a Report with a workplan and methodology, mapping of the glass and ceramics sector, identification of facilities potentially exceeding the 10,000 and 25,000 tCO2e thresholds, definition of the regulatory perimeter, initial assessment of carbon-intensity benchmarks and reference performance levels, and targeted conversation(s) with the relevant ceramics sector industrial association.

Objective: To deliver a sectoral mapping, an indicative identification of facilities potentially exceeding the 10,000 and 25,000 tCO2e thresholds, and a first assessment of carbon-intensity benchmarks and reference performance levels for the Brazilian glass and ceramics sector, supporting the MoF in defining the regulatory perimeter under the SBCE.

Phase II — Technical Baseline, Emission Factors, Carbon-Intensity Benchmarks, MRV Inputs and Sector Readiness Assessment for the Glass and Ceramics Sector.

Objective: To develop sector-specific emission factors, carbon-intensity benchmarks, technical inputs on monitoring protocols (process emissions, thermal energy intensity, fuel use, electricity consumption and other parameters relevant to future MRV requirements) and a high-level assessment of the current technical capacity of the glass and ceramics sector to accurately measure emissions and transition to mandatory Monitoring Plans by 2027 and the first MRV cycle in 2028, calibrated to Brazilian conditions and consistent with relevant international references.

Cross-cutting requirements applicable to all phases

• Coordination with UNEP LACO team, the Ministry of Finance and the SBCE governance structure. All phases must be carried out in close coordination with UNEP LACO team, the Ministry of Finance of Brazil, in particular the Extraordinary Secretariat for the Carbon Market (SEMC), the CTCP and its Working Groups, and in alignment with the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (TSB).
• Coordination with parallel sectoral baseline studies. Throughout the assignment, the consultant will hold coordination meetings with the technical teams developing the parallel Sectoral Baseline Studies for the other SBCE-priority sectors — in particular the studies for cement, primary aluminium, paper & cellulose and iron & steel being developed with other institutional support, and the parallel UNEP-led Sectoral Baseline Study for Chemicals — in order to ensure methodological consistency across sectors. Particular attention will be given to the structural adjacency between glass, ceramics and the cement sector — all classified within the CNAE C23 'Non-metallic mineral products' division — to leverage methodological consistency where applicable.
• Engagement with industry and treatment of data gaps. The consultant will actively engage with the Brazilian glass and ceramics industry (including, inter alia, industrial associations — such as the Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Cerâmica para Revestimento (Anfacer) for ceramic tiles and the Associação Técnica Brasileira das Indústrias Automáticas de Vidro (ABIVIDRO) for the glass sector, among others — major operators and other relevant sectoral stakeholders), in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, to gather the information necessary to develop the deliverables. Technical interactions with stakeholders and industry representatives are foreseen throughout the assignment to improve understanding of production processes (including melting furnaces for the glass sector and firing kilns for the ceramics sector), to discuss methodological hypotheses and to validate the practical applicability of the proposed baselines. Any additional information shared voluntarily by industrial stakeholders — provided it is aggregated, non-confidential or explicitly authorized for use in this study — may be used to complement, calibrate or refine the analyses, without prejudice to methodological transparency. In line with the consultant's technical proposal, the work will rely on publicly available data, existing technical references and conversations with industrial associations; access to confidential company-level or facility-level data is not assumed. Where national-level public information is not available or is insufficient to produce a robust baseline, the consultant will propose methodological solutions (e.g., international benchmarks calibrated to the Brazilian energy matrix and predominant technologies, proxies, aggregated reference data, expert estimation and sensitivity analysis), with explicit documentation of the assumptions, limitations and uncertainties.
• Country Actors Role and the approval of the deliverables. All deliverables produced under this consultancy are technical inputs intended to support the regulatory process led by the Ministry of Finance of Brazil and will require a strong collaboration from the consultant with the Ministry of Finance for the development of the SBCE sectoral regulation, including relevant bodies involved in the development of the SEMC, the CTCP and its Working Groups. Final review and approval of all deliverables shall be responsibility of UNEP. Any revisions requested by UNEP, taking into consideration inputs received through the regulatory governance structure, must be incorporated by the consultant prior to final acceptance and payment. Outputs Output 1: Report and Phase I Technical Report are developed Product No. 1 — A document containing a Report and Phase I Technical Report. The document with the (a) report must include, but not limited: detailed workplan and timeline; methodology proposal (including data sources, assumptions and treatment of data gaps); stakeholder engagement plan; plan for coordination meetings with other institution technical teams developing the parallel Sectoral Baseline Studies for cement, primary aluminium, paper & cellulose and iron & steel, and with the parallel UNEP-led Sectoral Baseline Study for Chemicals; risks and assumptions register. (b) Phase I technical report content, which must include: sectoral mapping of the Brazilian glass and ceramics industry (CNAE C, division 23 — Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products), including available data, product categories and relevant production routes (flat glass, container/hollow glass, ceramic tiles, sanitary ceramics, structural ceramics, refractory ceramics, and other glass and ceramics products, subject to data availability); proposed regulatory perimeter (activities included/excluded; main emission sources covering process emissions from raw-material decarbonation, combustion for high-temperature melting and firing furnaces, and use of fossil fuels and electricity); indicative identification of production units potentially exceeding the 10,000 and 25,000 tCO2e/year thresholds, based on productive and energy estimates from publicly available data; first assessment of carbon-intensity benchmarks and reference performance levels; records of the targeted conversation(s) with the relevant ceramics sector industrial association and initial coordination meetings with other institution teams. Inputs and feedback from the Ministry of Finance of Brazil through the SBCE governance structure (SEMC, CTCP and Working Groups) will be required to be included in the document prior to final acceptance and payment. Output 2: Phase II Report (Emission Factors, Carbon-Intensity Benchmarks, MRV Protocols and Gap Analysis) is developed Product No. 2 — Phase II Technical Report Emission Factors, Carbon-Intensity Benchmarks, MRV Protocols and Gap Analysis). Technical report on, which must include: (i) sector-specific emission factors and carbon-intensity benchmarks for the Brazilian glass and ceramics sector, calibrated to Brazilian conditions and predominant production routes, and consistent with relevant international references (IPCC, IEA, ECBI, BAT); (ii) technical inputs on monitoring protocols, including, when available, process emissions, thermal energy intensity, fuel use, electricity consumption and other parameters relevant to future MRV requirements; (iii) high-level assessment of the current technical capacity of the selected sectors to accurately measure emissions and transition to mandatory Monitoring Plans by 2027 and the first MRV cycle in 2028 (based on publicly available information, existing technical references, available sectoral data and limited stakeholder inputs); (iv) records of the technical interactions with industrial stakeholders. Inputs and feedback from the Ministry of Finance of Brazil through the SBCE governance structure (SEMC, CTCP and Working Groups) will be required to be included in the document prior to final acceptance and payment. The consultant must be a highly specialized technical expert who combines a solid background in industrial GHG emissions, MRV systems and sectoral baselines for the glass and ceramics sector (and more broadly for non-metallic mineral products and energy-intensive manufacturing) with a deep understanding of carbon-market regulatory design and of the interaction between mandatory emissions-trading systems and sustainable finance taxonomies. The consultant will be responsible in the development and execution of the following: Phase I — Sectoral Scoping, Regulatory Perimeter and Threshold Identification for the Glass and Ceramics Sector (corresponding to Product No. 1) Activity 1 — Study, sectoral scoping and regulatory perimeter for the glass and ceramics sector. The execution of Phase I will include the following non-exhaustive sub-activities, which may be adapted to the Brazilian regulatory context as needed: Detailed scope of activities — Sectoral Baseline Study (this section consolidates the activities to be carried out under Phases I to II above; individual sub-activities are grouped under their corresponding phase and may be sequenced or refined in the inception workplan to be agreed with UNEP FI): Methodological assumptions and data sources: As a starting point, the study will draw on publicly available information, including (i) Brazilian official statistics and sectoral data (for example IBGE, EPE/MME, MCTI and other relevant federal sources, plus industrial-association statistics such as Anfacer for ceramic tiles and ABIVIDRO for the glass sector); (ii) Brazilian national and sectoral GHG emissions inventories; (iii) recognised international references such as the IPCC Guidelines, IEA, ECBI and Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference documents for the glass and ceramics sub-sectors; and (iv) technical-scientific literature and public sectoral reports. In parallel, the consultant will conduct targeted technical interactions with the Brazilian glass and ceramics industry (including industrial associations and other relevant stakeholders), in coordination with UNEP and the Ministry of Finance, to gather and validate the information necessary to develop the deliverables. The work will not assume access to confidential company-level or facility-level data. Where national-level public data are insufficient to produce a robust baseline, the consultant will propose methodological solutions (calibrated international benchmarks, proxies, aggregated reference data, expert estimation, sensitivity analysis, among others) to construct the Brazilian baseline, with explicit documentation of all assumptions, limitations and uncertainties. 1. Sectoral delimitation and regulatory perimeter — definition of the activities included and excluded from the regulatory scope for the glass and ceramics sector (product categories including flat glass, container/hollow glass, ceramic tiles, sanitary ceramics, structural ceramics, refractory ceramics, and other glass and ceramics products, subject to data availability); identification of the main emission sources (process emissions from raw-material decarbonation — e.g., limestone, soda ash and dolomite for glass; carbonate minerals in ceramic clays for ceramics — combustion for high-temperature melting and firing furnaces, and use of fossil-fuel energy inputs and electricity). 2. Threshold identification — estimation of the distribution of emissions by type of installation in the Brazilian glass and ceramics sector, and indicative identification of production units potentially exceeding the 10,000 and 25,000 tCO2e/year thresholds, based on productive and energy estimates from publicly available data. Phase II — Technical Baseline, Emission Factors, Carbon-Intensity Benchmarks, MRV Inputs and Sector Readiness Assessment for the Glass and Ceramics Sector (corresponding to Product No. 2). Activities under Phase II are listed below (points 3, 4 and 5): 3. Emission factors and benchmarks — selection and adaptation of sector-specific emission factors and carbon-intensity benchmarks (e.g., tCO2e per tonne of representative product) for the Brazilian glass and ceramics sector, considering Brazilian conditions, predominant production routes and the Brazilian energy matrix, and drawing on relevant international references (IPCC, IEA, ECBI, BAT) and on the comparability of available public data. 4. MRV protocols — assessment of technical inputs on monitoring protocols, including, when available: process emissions, thermal energy intensity, fuel use, electricity consumption and other parameters relevant to future MRV requirements for the glass and ceramics sector; recommendation of monitoring approaches compatible with the heterogeneity of the sector (in particular the structural-ceramics segment, which is highly fragmented in Brazil), including simplified methodologies for smaller installations. 5. Gap analysis — high-level assessment of the current technical capacity of the Brazilian glass and ceramics sector to accurately measure emissions and transition to mandatory Monitoring Plans by 2027 and the first MRV cycle in 2028; identification of the main technical challenges. These inputs will be based on publicly available information, existing technical references, available sectoral data and limited stakeholder inputs, where available.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

6 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.

The overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 30 years UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition.

In December 2024, Brazil enacted Law No. 15.042/2024, which created the Brazilian Emissions Trading System (Sistema Brasileiro de Comércio de Emissões — SBCE), establishing the legal basis for a national regulated carbon market based on a cap-and-trade model. The Law defines emissions thresholds of 10,000 and 25,000 tCO2e per year, which trigger different sets of reporting and compliance obligations for facilities and operators across the regulated economy.

In October 2025, the Federal Government created the Extraordinary Secretariat for the Carbon Market (Secretaria Extraordinária do Mercado de Carbono — SEMC) within the Ministry of Finance (MoF), with the mandate to coordinate the implementation of the SBCE and to develop the necessary infralegal framework. The SEMC has prioritized the completion of all sectoral regulations by December 2026, and on 12 May 2026 the SBCE Permanent Technical Advisory Committee (Comitê Técnico Consultivo Permanente — CTCP) published the package of resolutions that established the Working Groups in charge of providing technical support to the SBCE implementation process. The MoF has also presented a preliminary phased proposal for sectoral coverage, beginning in 2027 with paper & pulp, iron & steel, cement, primary aluminium, oil & gas (E&P and refining) and air transport, and extending in a second phase to mining, recycled aluminium, electricity, glass, food & beverages, chemicals, ceramics and waste management. Public consultation of the first set of sectoral norms is expected in Q4 2026.

Within this implementation timeline, the MoF has identified the need for evidence-based Sectoral Baseline Studies for specific sectors that will eventually be covered by the SBCE. The MoF has formally requested UNEP's specialized technical expertise to develop Sectoral Baseline Studies for the priority sectors: Mining and Manufacturing (Chemicals, Glass, and Ceramics). These studies will establish standardized emission benchmarks and reference performance levels, providing the MoF with the technical foundation required to engage industrial stakeholders and to define the sectoral regulations (MRV protocols and allocation rules) due for public consultation in Q4 2026.

The goal of this consultancy is to develop a Sectoral Baseline Study and technical benchmarks of GHG emissions intensity (scopes 1 and 2) for the glass and ceramics sector, providing the Ministry of Finance of Brazil — through its Carbon Market Secretariat (SEMC) — with a transparent, evidence-based methodology and reference performance levels to inform the design of the sectoral norms of the SBCE, including the MRV protocols and the allocation rules to be subject to public consultation in Q4 2026.

In this context, UNEP is seeking a senior technical consultant with proven expertise in industrial decarbonization, energy-intensive manufacturing and GHG emissions in the glass and ceramics sector to develop a Sectoral Baseline Study and supporting technical inputs for the implementation of the SBCE. The scope of this consultancy covers the manufacture of glass and ceramics within CNAE C (Manufacturing) — division 23 (Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products) of the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (TSB) — and may include, subject to data availability, the following product categories: flat glass, container/hollow glass, ceramic tiles, sanitary ceramics, structural ceramics, refractory ceramics, and other glass and ceramics products. The consultant will work from home and will be supervised by UNEP FI’s Policy Lead for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC:

• Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Management, Sciences, Economics, Public Policy or related fields is required.
• Master's Degree in the following areas: Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Management, Sciences, Economics, Public Policy or related fields is required. PROFESSIONAL:
• Six (6) years of professional experience in industrial GHG emissions accounting, sectoral baselines, MRV systems, carbon market design (ETS) and/or industrial decarbonization is required.
• Experience in the formulation of sectoral climate policy, sectoral baselines or emissions benchmarking for industrial sectors is desirable.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in developing sector-specific emission factors, carbon-intensity benchmarks (e.g. tCO2e per tonne of product) and/or MRV protocols for energy-intensive/hard-to-abate industrial sectors (such as glass, ceramics or cement), compatible with the IPCC Guidelines, IEA, ECBI, Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference documents or comparable international references, is desirable.
• Experience in engaging with and providing technical advice to public authorities (ministries of finance, environment, energy) and/or industrial associations on the implementation of ETS, MRV regulations or sectoral decarbonization roadmaps is desirable.
• Knowledge of the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (TSB), Law No. 15.042/2024 and the regulatory architecture of the SBCE is desirable.
• Exceptional analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to conduct in-depth assessments of industrial processes (in particular high-temperature process such as furnaces and klins typical of the hard-to-abate sectors) against carbon-intensity benchmarks. The candidate must be skilled in performing gap analyses, identifying best practices, and formulating concrete technical recommendations for regulatory norms is desirable.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects, from conception to delivery, including defining methodological approaches, managing diverse stakeholders, and overseeing the production of technical deliverables, is desirable.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical information to a variety of audiences, from senior policy makers to industrial stakeholders, is desirable.
• Experience working with Latin American and Caribbean countries, in particular Brazil, is desirable.
• Ability to deliver at speed and to adapt to client / country needs is desirable. ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Package (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) collaborative platforms (i.e., Teams, Google Drive) and virtual meeting platforms (i.e. Webex, Zoom, etc.) is required;
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to present complex issues in simple and clear manner;
• Ability to communicate trends and impacts to high-level and mid-senior level management;
• Ability to consult, build, and maintain solid working relationships in and outside of immediate department;
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality results on time. COMPETENCES:
• Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Languages

LANGUAGE: • Fluent in English is required. • Fluent in Portuguese is required. • Fluent in Spanish is desirable.

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.