National governments

Aether has provided consultancy services to many national governments in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean.

Aether's services to Governments are described briefly below.  Also see our case studies towards the bottom of the page.

For more information contact Chris Dore, Director

Core services

Emission inventories

Aether supports the development of air pollution and greenhouse gas emission inventories for national governments to fulfil their international reporting requirements.  Our services span national inventory compilation and auditing, authoring guidance documents, and capacity building to build teams and train inventory compilers.

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Greenhouse gas emissions MRV

Parties to the Kyoto Protocol are required to report on their emissions of greenhouse gases every year.  Under the new global Paris Agreement (Article 13 on “Transparency”) Parties are required to provide concise information on their Climate Action and demonstrate that they have the capacity and systems in place to track progress.

Emissions reporting is one part of a wider set of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) processes.  These processes require good governance structures, adequate training and support to ensure that stakeholders are engaged and data flows are in place.

Aether can provide support in setting up MRV processes and governance structures as well as detailed training on the development of emissions inventories and emission projections.  Aether also has wide experience of providing experts to review inventories, as part of the UNFCCC annual reviews and Effort Sharing Decision Reviews in Europe.

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Air pollution emissions reporting

The Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Convention entered into force in 1983. The aim of the Convention is that Parties shall endeavor to limit and, as far as possible, gradually reduce and prevent air pollution including long-range transboundary air pollution. This is acheived by developing policies and strategies to combat the discharge of air pollutants through exchanges of information, consultation, research and monitoring.

Parties to the LRTAP Convention are required to report air pollution emission inventories every year.  Emissions projections and emissions maps are also required but less frequently.  Aether is able to support countries in the development of their data for the reporting.  Aether has also provided expert input into the technical review of LRTAP Inventories.

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Policies and measures

Strategic decisions to improve environmental performance need to be supported by good data on expected impacts of actions. Aether is able to provide in depth analysis of the impacts of policies and measures related to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This service underpins the development of future emissions forecasts for national governments. 

Policies and measures concerning greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants can be at the national or local level, and be short term or long term. EU Member States are required to report information of policies and measures regarding climate change every two years under the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action (Regulation (EU) 2018/1999), and information on their policies that reduce national air pollution emissions, required under the National Emissions Ceiling Directive.

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Case studies

Driving emission reductions through the public sector supply chain: Scope 3 emissions

Aether contributed to the analysis of procurement (Scope 3) emissions reporting in the Scottish public sector. The research aimed to demonstrate approaches and tools available to Scottish public bodies. The aim was to understand and report their supply chain emissions, providing options for action to improve supply chain reporting across the public sector.

GHG inventory support for Estonia

Aether is supporting the Estonian Environmental Research Centre (EKUK) and Estonian Environment Agency (EstEA) in the development of its national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory templates. We are helping to ensure that the compilation process is transparent and efficient.

LULUCF GHG Inventory Support for Romania

Aether is supporting the Romanian National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies (ICSI) in the compilation of its national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for non-forest land areas. We are helping to ensure that Romania’s land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) inventory is robust and of high quality.

Montenegro's Third Biennial Update Report (BUR)

Justin Goodwin was contracted as an international expert to support Montenegro with writing the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) chapter for their third Biennial Update Report.

Rwanda: Review of GHG inventory, mitigation assessments and national reports

Emma Salisbury was contracted as an international expert to support Rwanda’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Devolved Administration Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Inventories

Aether is now leading on the compilation and reporting of greenhouse gas and air pollution inventories for England and the Devolved Administrations, as a part of the wider UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory programme.

Capacity building in Liberia for GHG inventory compilation and MRV systems

Aether, in partnership with NEXUS International University (NIU) and the University of Liberia, provided capacity building training in GHG inventory compilation and MRV systems in Liberia.

Developing Saint Lucia’s GHG Inventory

Aether provided capacity building training to the national GHG inventory team of Saint Lucia. A new greenhouse gas inventory was developed together with a National Inventory Report and the inventory Biennial Update Report chapter.

Capacity building in Uganda for Paris Agreement Reporting

Aether, in partnership with Petromall and NEXUS International University (NIU), provided capacity building training in GHG inventory compilation in Uganda. We engaged with over 80 participants to provide interactive training courses in all inventory sectors.

United Arab Emirates Air Quality Inventory

Aether, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), supported the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MOCCAE) to compile the first UAE air pollutant emission inventory.

Review of inventories submitted under the National Emission Ceilings Directive

Aether has been involved in reviewing national emission inventories for more than 20 years, and provides several staff for key roles in the NEC Directive reviews.

Antigua and Barbuda Biennial Update Report (BUR)

Aether has been supporting Antigua and Barbuda on their first Biennial Update Report (BUR) by writing the Mitigation chapter. This work will enable Antigua and Barbuda to report transparently on initiatives addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation. Also the climate action database will enable the Department of Environment to take stock of climate related initiatives across the country, including the flow of climate finance, and relate this to national strategies and targets.

South Africa Climate Action Tracking and Evaluation System

Aether worked with Gondwana Environmental Solutions to support South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) to develop an innovative online platform for gathering, analysing and reporting climate mitigation and adaptation actions. The system acts as a central registry for climate actions alongside associated climate challenges, targets, support needed, wider impacts and indicators.

Montenegro Climate Change Action MRV System

In cooperation with UNDP through the GEF funded project “Development of Montenegro’s Second BUR”, Aether has been supporting Montenegro in developing a monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system for its climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.

Tanzania GHG Inventory, Projections and National System (MRV Portal)

Aether worked with the Vice President’s Office of the United Republic of Tanzania to develop an historical and projected GHG inventory and a sustainable national inventory system. The project delivered a tailored version of our innovative MRV portal. It was guided by high levels of stakeholder consultation and provided training to Tanzanian experts at two workshops.

Support to the States of Jersey on GHG emissions and climate action

Aether’s infographics and reports have encouraged engagement of the public in Jersey with climate change issues. We have supported the States of Jersey Department of the Environment for 3 years across a range of climate related topics.

Irish Environmental Protection Agency

Aether supports the Irish Environmental Protection Agency with the preparation and submission of Ireland's National Emissions Inventory of Greenhouse Gases under the EU Monitoring Mechanism and Air Quality Pollutants under the National Emissions Ceiling Directive.

Luxembourg Climate Action: Stakeholder engagement and reporting Portal

Aether developed an innovative online platform, or Portal, for gathering, analysing and reporting Luxembourg’s climate policies and measures. The Portal acts as a central point for stakeholder engagement and keeps a live master list of national climate actions, with associated impact and cost analysis.

Emission Inventory Support for Environment Agency of Iceland

Aether is supporting the Environment Agency of Iceland in the compilation of its greenhouse gas and air quality emissions inventories as well as projections and policies and measures. We are helping to ensure that Iceland’s inventory is robust and of high quality.

Colombia GHG inventory review - IPPU and energy

On the road towards submitting its third national communication, Colombia wanted to make sure that they had a high quality national GHG inventory.

Barbados greenhouse gas emissions inventory

Aether worked with Engain to produce Barbados’ Second National Communications Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

GHG inventory and QA/QC assistance in South Africa

On the road towards establishing a sustainable GHG inventory, Aether assisted South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs to establish a National System for regular GHG estimation, analysis and reporting.

Jamaica GHG inventory review

Aether has been working with the Jamaican Government to compile and improve their national greenhouse gas emissions inventory for their Third National Communication and Biennial Update Report.

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it...

“Chris was excellent to work with and always very pro active in making suggestions, taking work forward and applying his considerable technical knowledge in effective ways.”

Robert Vaughan, Defra Air Quality Team

“The team at Aether works very professionally and communicates very well which makes working with them a pleasure. Outputs are delivered on time to high quality. The team brings the rigour of technical knowledge and expertise and finds innovative ways of communicating complex messages. I would be happy to recommend the Aether team to organisations working on analysing and presenting emissions information in the public domain.”

Fiona Glover, States of Jersey

“Professional team and very collaborative communication. Effective result in terms of suggestions for improvement in the quality of the inventory and proposals on how to streamline specific topics.”

Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research

“Aether was a great asset in involving/engaging with Member States experts on highly technical subjects regarding GHG reporting. Very clear communication of issues and results.”

Andreas Pilzecker, DG CLIMA

“The professional service provided by your company was of very high quality and completed within agreed timelines.”

Matthew Dudley, UNFCCC Secretariat

“We have been collaborating with Aether for several years, and our projects have greatly benefited from it. Aether staff are very knowledgeable, professional and flexible - and last but not least, very friendly and a pleasure to work with.”

Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland

“The support provided by Aether for this project was especially remarkable considering the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tools and methods used in order to engage local stakeholders really added value to the capacity building of the national team.”

Shanna Emmanuel, Saint Lucia BUR Project Coordinator

“It is always an absolute pleasure working with Aether. I always know what is expected of me. Their work ethic is of a very high standard and projects are always handled in a very professional manner. I have learnt many skills in terms of project management, quality control and workshop training styles from Aether and I hope to carry these principles forward in my own work. I look forward to collaborating with Aether more in the future.”

Luanne Stevens, Gondwana

“The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional.”

Clare Bayley, Defra

“I must congratulate each of you for your professional and tireless efforts. Let me point out that this has been the 'neatest' in-country review expert review team I have coordinated, and it has been a real pleasure.”

UNFCCC Secretariat

Clients

Defra Keep Scotland Beautiful States of Jersey Environment Agency of Iceland

Contact us

Get in touch

Call us on +44 1865 261 466, complete the short form below, or go to the Contact page

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