Independent Consultant - GHG Accounting

RSB - Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials Association seeks an independent consultant operating under a consultancy contract for an initial 9‑month engagement to support a growing portfolio of work in GHG accounting, corporate Scope 3 emission reporting, environmental attribute accounting (i.e. Book and Claim systems) in the context of sustainable chemicals and fuels. Subject to organisational needs, funding availability and mutual interest, this engagement may create opportunities for future employment.

About Us

Our growing, dedicated team of committed professionals works globally to develop solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. We operate remotely in many countries worldwide, with a robust and collaborative working environment fostering professional development and a healthy work-life balance. Our team allows for individual autonomy and the opportunity to engage with a full spectrum of roles within our stakeholder base's diverse range of organisations.

RSB is a global, multi-stakeholder organisation dedicated to driving the sustainable development of the bioeconomy based on our best-in-class sustainability framework. Frequently noted as industry leaders in navigating the complexities of supply chain sustainability, we take pride in applying our robust sustainability framework in diverse sectors, including aviation, chemicals, materials, and shipping.

For more information, visit

Your Role

As Consultant – GHG Accounting, you will play a key role in driving a just and sustainable energy transition in hard-to-abate sectors such as transport, chemicals and materials, by guiding the development of GHG accounting principles across projects.

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the services described in this Terms of Reference, under the guidance of the Book & Claim Expert and in coordination with relevant members of the Projects and RSB Secretariat teams.

You will be responsible for these main areas of work:

Project Delivery

Support the delivery of multiple client-facing projects focused on sustainable fuels, Book and Claim systems, and claims integrity, including:

• Development of accounting approaches for biomethane, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), HVO, and other low-carbon fuels.

• Assessment of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 accounting implications associated with Book and Claim and other market-based instruments.

• Evaluation of risks related to double counting, double claiming, additionality, and claims governance.

• Development of technical reports, guidance documents, white papers, and client recommendations.

Corporate GHG Accounting

Cross-cutting methodology and advisory support:

• Provide technical expertise on the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.

• Advise on emissions accounting methodologies for fuel switching, renewable fuels, biomethane procurement, and supply-chain interventions.

• Assess corporate claims and reporting approaches against evolving best practices.

• Support clients in understanding accounting, reporting, and disclosure implications of climate-related initiatives.

Lifecycle Assessment and Bioenergy Analysis

• Review and interpret life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and carbon intensity calculations.

• Assess lifecycle emissions associated with biomass, biomethane, biofuels, e-fuels, and circular materials.

• Contribute technical expertise on feedstock sustainability, emissions factors, allocation methodologies, and GHG quantification approaches.

• Support the development of technical methodologies and guidance documents.

Standards and Framework Development

• Monitor and interpret developments in:

• GHG Protocol

• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

• ISO greenhouse gas and Chain of Custody (CoC) standards

• EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED)

• ICAO CORSIA

• Corporate climate disclosure frameworks

• Contribute to stakeholder consultations and technical engagement with standard-setting organizations, industry initiatives, and corporate partners.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in workshops, technical working groups, and client meetings.

• Present technical findings to corporate partners, NGOs, industry stakeholders, and policymakers.

• Support consensus-building around credible accounting and claims practices.

Requirements

Required - Education, experience, and qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field.

• 5-10 years of relevant professional experience.

• Demonstrated expertise in corporate GHG accounting.

• Strong knowledge of the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and Scope 3 Standard.

• Experience with, or strong working knowledge of, ISO greenhouse gas and Chain of Custody standards.

• Familiarity with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements and guidance.

• Experience conducting or reviewing life cycle assessments and carbon footprint studies.

• Experience working in one or more of the following sectors:

• Bioenergy / Biofuels

• Chemicals and materials

• Strong analytical and technical writing skills.

• Fluency in English.

Required - Personal attributes

• Ability to translate complex technical issues into practical business recommendations.

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills.

• Ability to work independently in a remote, international environment.

• Comfortable operating in evolving methodological landscapes.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to scientific rigor.

• Excellent project management and prioritization skills.

Desired

• Interest in market transformation, sustainable fuels, and high-integrity climate solutions.

• Experience with Book and Claim systems, environmental attribute markets, renewable energy certificates, SAF certificates, or similar market-based instruments.

• Knowledge of emerging GHG Protocol Actions and Market Instruments (AMI) developments.

• Familiarity with sustainability certification systems such as RSB.

• Understanding of claims frameworks and green claims governance.

• Experience working with multinational companies on climate strategy or sustainability reporting.

While we welcome the use of tools to support your application process, we strongly encourage candidates to submit their own original responses in the cover letter and application questions. Due to the high volume of applications and the increasing similarity of AI-generated responses, it can be difficult to accurately assess and distinguish individual candidates. We therefore encourage you to share your personal experiences, motivations, and perspectives in your own words.

Benefits

Our benefits

• Hourly rate according to location and currency
• Flexible working hours of up to 40hours week
• Remote work in home-office with periodic in-person team meetings

Important information

• Location: This is a home-based consultancy assignment. Applicants must be based in the United Kingdom, South Africa, or Ireland and have the legal right to work and/or provide independent consultancy services in their country of residence.
• Travel: May be required to attend meetings. Reimbursed by RSB.
• Position type: Consultancy contract (self-employed consultant or consultant engaged through their own company) starting at a minimum 20-hours a week, with potential to increase to 40 hs / week based on incoming demand. This role is not initially offered as an employment contract. Subject to organisational needs and mutual interest, the consultancy engagement may transition into an employment position.
• Start Date: October 2026
• Application Deadline: Thursday 10 September 2026

Please provide a Cover Letter describing why you wish to work with us and why you are the right fit, and a CV of no more than two pages. RSB will not consider applications that do not follow these steps.

Originally posted on Himalayas