Regional development: A case study on sustainability factors

Lucas-Bénédict PARIS, B.A.

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master thesis examines success-factors for the sale of MoorFutures voluntary carbon certificates, as well as the influence of regional contexts on sales and project realization. Furthermore, this thesis seeks to find out if the certificates contribute to sustainable regional development. With nature-based climate protection approaches playing a vital role in the fight against climate change, MoorFutures offers an alternative to state funded efforts through a flexible regional alternative financing tool for rewetting peatlands. As the influencing factors for voluntary carbon certificates from peatland rewetting are yet to be widely researched, this master thesis aims to offer possible aspects for further research. The methodical structure is an embedded single case study where MoorFutures as a brand is the object of study and the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein will serve as units of analysis. Empirical data derived from qualitative expert interviews and project documents will be used to investigate the topics. The data analysis concludes that MoorFutures success-factors can be attributed to the rise of climate awareness movements, the strategic positioning in the current scientific and political discourse as well as a strong support on the regional level. Moreover, MoorFutures and its features corresponds to the statistical preferences expressed by buyers of voluntary carbon certificates. Regional context also proves to be a crucial factor of influence, but they are expressed differently depending on the state regarding sales and project realization. MoorFutures has been found to contribute to sustainable regional development through long-term improvements of ecosystems, as a long-term financial contribution method to local landowners and improving the wellbeing of local communities by creating more untouched and biodiverse habitats. A further major point is the contribution to education towards sustainable regional development displayed during marketing as well as the implementation of projects by MoorFutures partners.

Abstract:

This master thesis examines success-factors for the sale of MoorFutures voluntary carbon certificates, as well as the influence of regional contexts on sales and project realization. Furthermore, this thesis seeks to find out if the certificates contribute to sustainable regional development. With nature-based climate protection approaches playing a vital role in the fight against climate change, MoorFutures offers an alternative to state funded efforts through a flexible regional alternative financing tool for rewetting peatlands. As the influencing factors for voluntary carbon certificates from peatland rewetting are yet to be widely researched, this master thesis aims to offer possible aspects for further research. The methodical structure is an embedded single case study where MoorFutures as a brand is the object of study and the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein will serve as units of analysis. Empirical data derived from qualitative expert interviews and project documents will be used to investigate the topics. The data analysis concludes that MoorFutures success-factors can be attributed to the rise of climate awareness movements, the strategic positioning in the current scientific and political discourse as well as a strong support on the regional level. Moreover, MoorFutures and its features corresponds to the statistical preferences expressed by buyers of voluntary carbon certificates. Regional context also proves to be a crucial factor of influence, but they are expressed differently depending on the state regarding sales and project realization. MoorFutures has been found to contribute to sustainable regional development through long-term improvements of ecosystems, as a long-term financial contribution method to local landowners and improving the wellbeing of local communities by creating more untouched and biodiverse habitats. A further major point is the contribution to education towards sustainable regional development displayed during marketing as well as the implementation of projects by MoorFutures partners.

Keywords

Sustainable development, voluntary carbon certificates, success factors for certificates, marketing communication

Language used: Czech

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 8. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Dr. Doris Fetscher

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Faculty of Economics

Master programme / field:
Regional and European Project Management / Regional and European Project Management