The primary goal of this research is to develop an innovative information system architecture for streamlining the awarding of carbon credits and compensating clean cookstove users. Focusing on Rwandan households transitioning from conventional biomass burners to more efficient cookstoves, the project seeks to promote healthy cooking practices and reduce carbon emissions.

Academic research has lacked a specific information system design to directly monitor emission reduction at the source to award carbon credits efficiently. This research proposes a solution that includes distributing clean cookstoves and creating a digital platform to facilitate carbon credit recording and distribution, along with an integrated payment mechanism. The information system architecture plays a pivotal role in scaling sustainable cooking projects and combating climate change.

To address the research question, "What is a possible design for a digital multi-actor platform for the issuance of carbon credits?" a hybrid approach integrating Peffers's design science research framework and a system engineering methodology is employed. The study comprehensively analyses the Rwandan context, identifying 15 functional and 22 non-functional requirements for the system. A functional and logical system architecture is then presented with detailed interfaces. The system architecture's evaluation includes verifying functions and logical system elements against requirements and validating the system through expert interviews.

This research fills a gap in the literature by offering a systematic design cycle for tailored information systems in clean cooking projects, aiding stakeholders in context analysis, requirements elicitation, and system architecture design. It introduces an architecture valuable to information systems researchers and practitioners, especially in sustainable finance projects. The design cycle is a practical guide through various development stages, facilitating comprehension of essential requirements. These findings benefit researchers delving into information system design for clean cooking and sustainable finance initiatives. Furthermore, the adaptable system design provides a valuable resource for the FairClimateFund and related initiatives, supporting the adoption of information systems and issue resolution in sustainable finance, furthering the sustainability agenda.