Recently, Wouter van ES successfully completed his master’s degree in “Energy, Environment, and Society” from the University of Stavanger, Norway. The thesis, has been assessed with a B grade, equivalent to a 9 in the Netherlands.
About the Thesis
The focus of the thesis was to explore the challenges and opportunities that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) face in the voluntary carbon offset market. Wouter delved into the complexities of carbon offsetting, its history, and the potential risks involved. The thesis also proposed a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework to help SMEs make informed decisions in selecting the most suitable carbon offsetting strategy.
Key Findings
The research emphasized the need for SMEs to be cautious when navigating the voluntary carbon offset market, which is often characterized by uncertainty and opaque practices. It also highlighted the importance of government intervention to regulate the market effectively. The MCDA framework developed can serve as a roadmap for SMEs to evaluate their carbon offsetting options based on key criteria like permanency, risk of carbon leakage, positive social impact and a lot more.
The thesis report can be view via: https://nationaleco2markt.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Master-Thesis-Wouter-van-Es.pdf