A critical review of discursive approaches in energy transitions

Isoaho, Karoliina; Karhunmaa, Kamilla

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.01.043

Cited by 78 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…We chose a discursive approach to this study. In line with recent transitions literature, we highlight the importance of examining discourse to better understand transition dynamics that are uncertain and highly contested (Bosman, Loorbach, Frantzeskaki, & Pistorius, ; Isoaho & Karhunmaa, ). We also wish to contribute to the increasing number of studies that have already applied discursive methods to examine coal phase‐out in other places (Lehotský, Černoch, Osička, & Ocelík, ; Leipprand & Flachsland, ; Rosenbloom, ; Trencher et al, ).…”

Section: Research Design and Datasupporting

confidence: 75%

“…In our case, an important part of the discourse evolved around the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the various technologies with different actors seeking to legitimize (or delegitimize) their preferred options. This goes on to show that discourses of technology trajectories for public policy are continuously reproduced, negotiated, and contested in the policy arena (Isoaho & Karhunmaa, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Politics of Technology Decline: Discursive Struggles over Coal Phase‐Out in the UK

Isoaho

Markard

2020

Review of Policy Research

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The decline of carbon intensive technologies is a key element in the ongoing energy transition and our attempts to tackle climate change. At the same time, our understanding of technology decline and of the associated policies and politics is still limited. This paper builds on the sustainability transitions perspective, a novel approach to analyze socio-technical transformation, including the complex interplay of policy and technology change. We study the decline of coal-fired power generation in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2017 by analyzing the discourse in The Guardian. We find scientists and environmental NGOs criticizing coal for climate and health reasons. Government and incumbent businesses tried to re-legitimate coal but eventually, their resistance collapsed and coal was almost completely abandoned in just a few years. Particularly devastating for coal were failed promises around carbon capture and storage, rapid diffusion of wind energy, and pressure from various policies. This study contributes to better understanding the contested nature of decline, and the interplay of discursive struggles, technology change, and public policy in sustainability transitions.

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Section: Research Design and Datasupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Politics of Technology Decline: Discursive Struggles over Coal Phase‐Out in the UK

Isoaho

Markard

2020

Review of Policy Research

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“…To answer the second and third research questions, key information (the geographical Moher et al, 2009). foci of the articles, author affiliations, publication years, research material) was collected by reviewing and tabulating the relevant information from all the articles (for a similar approach, see, e.g., Isoaho & Karhunmaa, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wicked Problems in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

2021

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The theory of wicked problems, originating from Western academic discussion, has evolved since the 2000s toward a universal diagnostic of societal challenges. In this article, we employ a systematic literature review to investigate the application of the concept of wicked problems in studies focusing on the African context. Our aim is to understand the additional value and limitations of using the concept in a non-Western frame of reference. We conclude that the concept remains underutilized in studies concentrating on Africa; moreover, when it is used, it is mainly by academics of Western or Anglophone origin. Overall, the concept of wicked problems is mainly applied descriptively rather than theoretically. Based on the analysis of the themes and issues characterized as wicked, we elaborate toward a typology that takes account of the concrete “manifestations” (e.g., health issues such as AIDS/HIV and its treatment history) and “mechanisms” (e.g., historical path dependency) that condition the presence of wicked problems in the African context. The article contributes to the theory of wicked problems by developing a typology that distinguishes between interlinked and contextual problems (often characterized through the concept of “dual wickedness”), and proposes that problems can become exacerbated when the two dimensions are simultaneously present.

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“…Geels (2014) describes, through the MLP perspective, that incumbent regimes use discourses to provide diagnosis of certain problems, prognosis through proposed solutions, or motivation by mobilizing the public to action. Discursive analysis sheds light on political orientations by pinpointing, for example, where certain energy regimes are (de)legitimized (Isoaho and Karhunmaa 2019). In their analysis of climate change discourses during the 2016 United States presidential election, Brown and Sovacool (2017, 128–129) posit that political actors “seek power and communicate policy stances to gain votes,” embedding in their statements their worldviews, frames that “represent the organisation of collective interests and normative assumptions.” Politicians rarely disclose the assumptions preceding their energy policy stances and subjective conceptualizations (Scrase and Ockwell 2010).…”

Section: Political Accents In Transition Scholarshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wandering identities in energy transition discourses: Political leaders’ use of the “we” pronoun in Ontario, 2009–2019

Mang‐Benza

Hunsberger

2020

Canadian Geographies / Géographies canadiennes

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Analyzing discursive strategies helps demonstrate how power is exerted through politics. • Three ruling coalitions in Ontario strategically used universalizing language to promote very different energy policy regimes. • The "we" form in political discourse leaves room for ambiguous messages, implying benefits to all while obscuring differentiated impacts. This paper explores the use of universalizing language as a discursive strategy to promote shifts in energy policy. Building on scholarship that seeks to understand the political nature of energy transitions, including resistance to transitions, the role of the state, and implications for justice, we examine three phases of energy transition in Ontario in the period 2009-2019, focusing on the ways that three successive ruling coalitions used the first plural pronoun "we" to promote contrasting energy policy orientations. Our analysis of policy documents and government news releases confirms that all three coalitions used the "we" form as a strategic device to define priorities, prescribe courses of action, and broadcast achievements. However, they also used the ambiguity of the "we" form to obscure alternative perspectives, claim credit for rivals' accomplishments, and gloss over harmful and differentiated impacts of policy choices. The paper concludes by reflecting on broader questions about power and justice relevant to energy transition scholars.

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A critical review of discursive approaches in energy transitions

Cited by 78 publications

References 75 publications

The Politics of Technology Decline: Discursive Struggles over Coal Phase‐Out in the UK

The Politics of Technology Decline: Discursive Struggles over Coal Phase‐Out in the UK

Wicked Problems in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

Wandering identities in energy transition discourses: Political leaders’ use of the “we” pronoun in Ontario, 2009–2019

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