A Critical Analysis of the Norwegian Climate Discourse in Light of Global Fast Policies : A discourse analysis of Norwegian climate policy (1995-2018) and critical discussion regarding the implications of discourses and the fast policy condition for national climate policy development

Abstract

The climate change problem has been given increasing attention over the last few decades spurring a variety of policy approaches worldwide. The reports from the international panel on climate change (IPCC) have brought the tremendous consequences of climate change on societies to the attention of policy makers all over the world. This paper addresses the urgent task of increasing knowledge regarding climate policies as an integral part of development studies. It presents a study of Norwegian climate policy through discourse analysis and reflexive interpretation of these insights in light of critical research on policy development and mainstream policy approaches addressing climate change. By analyzing Norwegian climate policy through identifying key values and principles guiding policy choices and using these as a basis for analyzing the Norwegian climate discourse in relation to Dryzek’s (2013) environmental discourses, it is demonstrated that economic rationalism dominates the strategic approach within Norwegian climate policy although there are connections to other discourses as well. The consequences of this is debated, and challenges related to this approach highlighted. The discussion demonstrates that the focus on cost-effectiveness might be both ineffective when it comes to dealing with climate change, as well as bad for socially just development due to the negative social consequences experienced in several projects being implemented as Norwegian climate policy. Furthermore, the concept of fast policy is introduced in order to further the understanding of how policies come to be and start a process of reflecting on how fast climate policies move across the globe. It is suggested that further attention should be paid to the complex nature of fast policies and how the process of policy-making is being influenced by discursive framings pushed by powerful interests.