Partner
Sustainability Office - Organization Portfolio, Amsterdam Sustainability Institute
Description
Do you want to make a difference at the VU?
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has a strong commitment to sustainability - simultaneously increasing human and environmental well-being on its campus. Although it has made great strides in reducing its environmental impact, there is significant potential for improvement, on its way to reaching its target of net zero emissions by 2040.
One key area of interest is around procurement, the process through which the university acquires the goods and services essential to its daily operations. This includes sourcing, negotiating, purchasing, receiving, inspecting, and maintaining records. With the growing need for institutions to substantially reduce their carbon footprint, this thesis project will explore the role carbon pricing can play in shifting (parts of) the VU Amsterdam’s procurement to more sustainable practices.
Research Focus
This project will center on investigating how carbon pricing – assigning a cost to greenhouse gas emissions to incentivize their reductions – could be incorporated into procurement at the VU Amsterdam. This research will examine how the university can balance quality, cost, and ethics while adopting sustainable procurement practices. Considerations may include whether to implement fictional or effective pricing, and whether to focus on internal or external carbon pricing strategies. Ultimately, your goal is to explore the role carbon pricing can play on the VU’s path to carbon net zero.
Your Assignment:
- Conduct background research on current procurement processes at the VU Amsterdam
- Use current and historic carbon footprint data to understand the impact of main capital goods and services procured by VU and in the university context in general, as well as identify potentials for reduction
- Compare VU Amsterdam’s practices against those of other universities with similar size and budget profiles - both in the Netherlands and worldwide
- Identify current operational barriers to more sustainable procurement processes at VU Amsterdam
- Explore and propose realistic implementation strategies for integrating carbon pricing into the VU’s procurement process
- Estimate the potential effects of these strategies on the university’s overall emissions and progress towards significantly reducing its carbon emissions
Requirements
- Current bachelor’s or master’s students at the VU Amsterdam
- A background in environmental science, economics, resource management, or sustainable transitions is preferred
Practical Details:
- Language requirements: English, fluent Dutch is an advantage
- Location: Primarily remote work, though occasional visits to the Sustainability Office and Amsterdam Sustainability Institute on the VU campus may be required. A workspace at the Green Office VU will be available if desired
- Working Hours: Up to 40 hours per week, depending on your thesis requirements
- Duration: Approximately February to June, with flexibility based on your thesis timeline
- Publication: If your thesis receives a grade of 7.5 or higher, you may submit your research to the VU's Science for Sustainability open-access journal for the opportunity to be published
Interested? Apply below