PHD-opening for Environmental Accounting for Nature-Based Solutions in Environmental Policy
Freshwater is essential to sustain life and economic development, but it is also a vulnerable resource whose availability and quality varies around the globe. Our group studies the dynamics of water demand and availability as influenced by agricultural and industrial production, consumption and international trade as well as climate change, the energy transition, environmental policies, and offsetting strategies. The methods we use include water footprint and life cycle assessment, hydrological and crop modelling, environmentally extended input-output analysis, integrated assessment, and policy evaluation.
We understand water related grand challenges as a shared responsibility in a wider environmental and socio-economic context. Hence, we engage different stakeholders and sectors to develop both science-based and actionable solutions. To support decision-making, we provide data, models, and tools and share our knowledge in academic teaching and science dissemination.
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are a key topic in climate policy, but their role, especially in offsetting schemes, remains debated. For instance, bioenergy and tree planting are often treated inconsistently in carbon accounting, highlighting the need for more coherent frameworks. Emerging policies like the EU Carbon Removal Certification Scheme and the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.4 lack clarity on NBS implementation, and efforts like the "Trillion Tree Campaign" have faced criticism for their weak monitoring and diverting attention for much needed reduction of fossil fuel emissions and reducing deforestation. This 4-year PhD, part of the NL2120 Growth Fund Program, will explore the accounting challenges in NBS, including the integration of biogenic carbon, biodiversity, and co-benefits like water quality and availability.
Your research will focus on Environmental Accounting for Nature-Based Solutions by:
1. Evaluating Existing Accounting Frameworks: Assess how biogenic carbon and biodiversity are accounted for in policies (e.g., the Paris Agreement, Nature Restoration Law)
2. Investigating Key Accounting Paradigms: Determine how impacts of NBS are accounted for in LCA, corporate accounting and integrated assessment models, and derive recommendations for improving Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods.
3. Assessing specific NBS with LCA (based on 1 and 2): Conduct an LCA analysis for NBS in the Netherlands for example regarding wetland restoration.
4. Critical perspective on NBS: Determine the risk of mitigation deterrence and potential conflicts with agriculture or housing development.
You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team from academia, consultancy, and government to ensure the research is both scientifically rigorous and policy-relevant.
Information and application
For additional information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact dr.ir. Rosalie Arendt, r.arendt@utwente.nl.
Women are explicitly asked to apply for this position. This is part of the University of Twente’s strategy to increase the proportion of women among its faculty and to create a working environment that is diverse and inclusive and supportive of excellence in research and teaching.
Please apply by uploading a motivation letter (1 page), your CV (max 3 pages without photo), a writing sample (max 1 page e.g., an Abstract of a publication or a one page summary of your master thesis) as well as relevant certificates (e.g. for your Masters degree) until 28th of February using the link below. The application must not exceed 5 pages excluding certificates.
The first (online) job interview will take place in end of March/early April. We encourage Master students to apply even if they still have to graduate in the coming months.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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