Topics for semester or master projects supervised by Prof. Philippe Thalmann or some other member of his team at LEURE
The topics below can be analyzed individually or in groups of 2 students maximum. Projects can be supervised by Prof. Philippe Thalmann or a senior collaborator of LEURE, to be decided when registering the project in IS-Academia. Students are expected to produce a scientific report and defend it in an intermediate and a final presentation, according to the regulation applying to the course under which they register for the semester project, respectively to master projects in their section. The expected length of the scientific report and research work in general will depend on the number of credits given for this project. For more information, see our guidelines for semester or master projects.
Les sujets sont proposés en anglais, mais les rapports peuvent être rédigés en français ou anglais, à convenir avec l’enseignant.
If you are interested in one of these topics, prepare a half-page draft in which you describe which topic you are interested in and what specific issue you would examine, and send this to Prof. Thalmann or the person indicated as direct supervisor under a topic.
Topics proposed in Fall 2026
Topic33
How to transform existing buildings towards shared spaces?
Based on literature, identify successful and unsuccessful space sharing models, such as share kitchens, guest rooms, reception rooms, activity spaces etc. Summarize and propose new models designed to minimize m2 per person and facilitate shared activities, leading to higher wellbeing with less resources.
This topic, under the direct supervision of Sascha Nick, is specifically for architecture students; please contact and register with him
Topic45
Back to the Future: The World Energy Outlook forecasts in the rear-view mirror
The annual World Energy Outlook (WEO) is the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) flagship publication on global energy projections and analysis. It provides an extensive set of statistics on energy prices, energy balances, and technological costs related to energy consumption by regions. The Outlook is published annually since 1977.
This thesis will perform a statistical analysis of historical projections (2000+) and seek to identify possible biases. Particular attention will be paid to energy prices, energy balances, electricity generation and CO2 emissions.
References:
James Gaede and James Meadowcroft (2015) “A Question of Authenticity: Status Quo Bias and the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook”, Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 18(5), 608–627. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2015.1116380
Klauss Mohn (2020) “The gravity of status quo: A review of IEA’s World Energy Outlook” Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, Vol. 9, No. 1
Project under the direct supervision of Marc Vielle, please contact and register with him
Topic60
Cheap clothes, high costs: the hidden costs of fast fashion
Fast fashion is responsible for significant pollution, particularly of water and air. It is known for low-wage high-risk working conditions and human rights violations. As part of this project, your role will be to assess and analyse the hidden costs of the fast fashion value chain using the True Cost Accounting (TCA) approach. TCA is a methodology that aims to quantify and monetise the hidden costs of a value chain, including environmental costs (e.g. GHG emissions, water consumption, biodiversity), social aspects (e.g., modern slavery, child labour, access to social security), economic aspects (e.g., living wage, minimum wage) and health impacts (e.g., pesticides ingestion, chemicals exposure). Through this project, you will contribute to a larger SNSF research project: From farm to fork and beyond: A systems approach to implementing real cost accounting for food in Switzerland.
Master project only, under the direct supervision of Gino Baudry; please contact and register with him
Topic61
Reframing Living Wages through the lens of Decent Living Standards
A living wage is the income that workers need to meet their basic needs with dignity. It is generally estimated based on the cost of a minimum bundle of goods and services. In this project, this bundle shall be derived from the comprehensive, human-centred framework of decent living standards (DLS). The DLS approach defines a minimum set of material and social conditions necessary for well-being, ranging from adequate food and housing to access to energy, mobility, education and communication. Your role will be to estimate living wages based on DLS thresholds, rather than on minimum consumption baskets or market-based indicators. The objective is to identify gaps between existing living wage benchmarks and the actual income needed to achieve the DLS in selected contexts (e.g., urban vs. rural, global vs. national, cantonal). The context may include the global/national level, the EU/NUTS 2-3 level or the Swiss level. The analysis will consist of modelling typical household needs in terms of energy, food, housing and mobility, to estimate the corresponding incomes required. Through this project, you will contribute to a larger SNSF research project: From farm to plate and beyond: a systemic approach to implementing real cost accounting for food in Switzerland.
Master project only, under the direct supervision of Sascha Nick and Gino Baudry; please contact and register with either of them
Topic67
Making CCUS governance accessible through interactive scenario tools
This project will empirically test how complex CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) governance questions can be made accessible to policymakers and wider stakeholders. Building on existing CCUS modelling, scenario, and policy work, the project will design and organize a stakeholder workshop with cantonal and federal planning offices, elected politicians, companies, researchers, journalists, and citizens. Participants will use interactive scenario tools linking key assumptions, such as residual emissions, CCUS deployment levels, storage options, technology choices, and governance rules. The goal is to make visible consequences, including CO2 volumes, energy demand, costs, infrastructure needs, uncertainties, and risks. You will prepare workshop materials, support facilitation, observe participant interactions, and evaluate which formats, indicators, narratives, and visualizations best support understanding. The output will be practical recommendations for communicating and deliberating CCUS policy under deep uncertainty.
Project under the direct supervision of Sascha Nick, please contact and register with him
Topic68
Estimating the sustainability impacts of the Swiss agrifood system: a system modelling assessment of the Swiss 2030 Agricultural Policy
This fall 2026, the Swiss 2030 Agricultural Policy (AP30+) will be submitted for consultation. This policy project is articulated around 4 main axes, that aim to (1) foster food security by maintaining or extending self-sufficiency; (2) reduce the ecological footprint related to the agrifood system, domestically and abroad; (3) improve economic and social prospects; (4) simplify instruments and reduce the administrative burden. The objective of this project is to model, assess, and quantify the GHG mitigation potential and broader sustainability impacts of AP30+ key measures using a system modelling approach. The project will focus on (1) analysing the AP30+ measures to define the modelling requirements and boundaries; (2) the development and implementation of an integrated, sector-coupled modelling module capable of capturing intra- and inter-sectoral dynamics implied by the AP30+, domestically and abroad; (3) quantitatively assessing the sustainability impacts of AP30+ measures (e.g., GHG emissions, water footprint, etc.), accounting for synergies, and trade-offs across sectors; (4) Identifying gaps between projected impact trajectories and Swiss sustainability targets, and formulating high-impact and science/model-based policy recommendations to ensure alignment with the Swiss climate and sustainability objectives. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Negawatt (CH) association. Through this project, you will contribute to larger initiatives, including the True Cost of Food CH research project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and the development of sustainability measures for Swiss agriculture, funded by the Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation for Human Progress (FPH).
Master project only, under the direct supervision of Gino Baudry, please contact and register with him
Topic69
Designing Swiss fair and sustainable futures: a system modelling assessment of the planetary boundaries and social foundations
xThe Doughnut Theory developed by economist Kate Raworth consists in a framework designed to guide humanity development into a safe and just space, by balancing fundamental human needs (social foundation as the inner ring) with the planetary boundaries (ecological ceiling as the outer ring). Such approach constitutes a strong sustainable decision-making support approach, which will reinforce our current tools. The objective of this project is to model, assess, and quantify the current and future environmental impacts of Switzerland through a Doughnut methodology lens, using a system modelling approach. The project will focus on (1) analysing the current sustainability measures to define the modelling requirements and boundaries; (2) the development and implementation of an integrated, sector-coupled modelling module capable of capturing intra- and inter-sectoral dynamics implied by the sustainability policies; (3) quantitatively assessing the sustainability impacts of sustainability measures (e.g., GHG emissions, water footprint, etc.), accounting for synergies, and trade-offs across sectors; (4) Identifying gaps between projected impact trajectories and planetary boundaries, and formulating high-impact and science/model-based policy recommendations to ensure alignment with the planetary limits. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with Unil. Through this project, you will contribute to a larger research project funded by the ETH domains: Speed 2 Zero: Sustainable pathways towards net zero Switzerland.
Master project only, under the direct supervision of Gino Baudry, please contact and register with him
Topic70
Developing sustainable deployment strategies for data centres in Switzerland: comprehensive spatial mapping combined with a systems modelling assessment
Switzerland, at both the federal and cantonal levels, has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with intermediate milestones set for 2030 and 2040 that reflect ambitious emissions reduction targets. At the same time, the number of newly constructed data centers is steadily increasing, driven by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by public institutions and private companies, as well as a growing demand for digitalization across all sectors of the economy. The establishment of data centers within a territory has significant implications, particularly in terms of energy demand, network connectivity and water usage (depending on the cooling techniques used). However, under appropriate conditions, these infrastructures can be developed in a more sustainable manner. For example, heat generated by data centers can be recovered and reused to supply district heating systems, thereby contributing to energy efficiency and reducing overall carbon emissions. The objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive territorial mapping to identify and plan suitable locations for the sustainable deployment of data centers, while also assessing their impacts in urban and peri-urban environments. Insights from the “Heating Bits” project, focused on minimizing the carbon footprint of data centers and improving energy efficiency (for example, by maximizing its waste heat reuse), will help define key criteria for sustainable implementation. The outcomes of this research are intended to be shared with key cantonal stakeholders involved in data center planning, operation, and regulation, to support informed decision-making and foster alignment with climate objectives.
Master project only, under the direct supervision of Gino Baudry, please contact and register with him
Topic71
Comment une coopérative d’habitation peut-elle renforcer la durabilité dans son parc de logements ?
Les coopératives d’habitation ont pour première vocation d’offrir des logements de qualité à des loyers abordables pour leurs membres. De plus en plus, elles souhaitent étendre cette responsabilité sociale à d’autres dimensions de la durabilité sociale et environnementale. Dans ce projet, il s’agit de développer un guide pratique à l’intention des coopératives leur proposant des démarches et mesures concrètes. Dans la mesure du possible, on testera déjà quelques interventions. Une intervention à envisager consisterait à autoriser, voire encourager la collocation dans les grands appartements.
Il est prévu de réaliser ce projet en collaboration avec une coopérative d’habitation de Lausanne. Pour cette raison, la maitrise du français est nécessaire.
Seulement comme projet de semestre; veuillez contacter Philippe Thalmann
Topic72
Proof of Concept: A Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Assistant for the GEMINI-E3 Model
Context. GEMINI-E3 is a multi-country, multi-sector computable general equilibrium (CGE) model developed and maintained at EPFL, used to assess the economic and environmental impact of trade, energy, and climate policies. Understanding and using the model requires navigating a large and heterogeneous body of technical material — equations, source code, calibration documentation, and scenario reports — that is difficult to query efficiently, even for experienced users. Large Language Models combined with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) offer a way to make this knowledge base queryable in natural language, while grounding answers in verifiable sources to limit hallucination.
Objective. Develop a proof-of-concept RAG system for GEMINI-E3 that allows a user to ask natural-language questions about the model (its equations, parameters, structure, and past scenarios) and receive answers grounded in, and cited from, the model’s documentation and code.
Deliverables. A working prototype, a curated knowledge base and evaluation benchmark, and a thesis manuscript documenting design choices and results.
Required skills. Python programming; interest in NLP/LLMs; willingness to learn the structure of a CGE model.
Master project only, under the direct supervision of Marc Vielle (LEURE) and Alain Haurie (ORDECSYS, Prof. honoraire GSEM, Université de Genève). Please contact and register with Marc Vielle.
Topic73
Limitations of domestic project-based approaches in Swiss climate policy
Swiss climate policy relies on a mix of climate policy instruments. Within this mix, the role of project-based approaches has recently increased. Domestically, these approaches include the compulsory fuel importer offset obligation, the buildings program, and technology funding under the Climate Protection and Innovation Act.
Related greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions are real only when the projects are strictly additional. Consequently, double funding from multiple programs is a regular exclusion criterion for the applying projects. Such double funding can also come from e.g. cantonal subsidies or voluntary carbon markets. Emission reductions under Agreements on Objectives cannot be counted as additional in any other program either.
To reach the 2030 GHG emissions target, many more projects have to be funded, but the additionality-related frictions at the demarcation lines between the many policy instruments have become a bottleneck. Investigating the potential of domestic project-based approaches helps to assess their contribution to the 2030 target. Lessons can be drawn also for the upcoming next revision of the CO2 Act, which must cope with the tightening targets for the next decade. As topical information can rarely be found in the literature, the research will include stakeholder interviews.
9-credit or more projects only, under the direct supervision of Frank Vöhringer (LEURE); please contact and register with him