Between redeemer and work of the devil: The transnational Brazilian biofuel discourse

Selbmann, Kirsten; Ide, Tobias

doi:10.1016/j.esd.2015.10.006

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The following depiction of the German biofuel discourse, which includes reasons for the emergence of discourse coalitions, an evaluation of their dominance and the characterisation of their story lines and impacts (cf. Selbmann, 2011;Selbmann and Ide, forthcoming), is the result of a discourse analysis based on around ninety documents that can only be cited as examples at this point. First of all, a variety of articles, press releases and statements referring to biofuels in Germany were scrutinised.…”

Section: Concepts and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Bio-, Agro- or even Social Fuels: Discourse Dynamics on Biofuels in Germany

Selbmann¹

2015

environ values

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Within the EU, Germany took a pioneering role in the production and promotion of biofuels. To explain this role the article analytically examines public discourses on biofuels. The analysis points out how the subject is interpreted and positioned by relevant actors and thus results in a specific public perception of biofuels in Germany. This perception in turn influences political decision-making processes. Since the analysis of discourses contributes to a better understanding of today's biofuel policy in Germany, the article characterises the biofuel discourse during the genesis of this policy. Additionally, it analytically traces changes of discourse constellations in the course of the biofuel policy path.

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Section: Concepts and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Bio-, Agro- or even Social Fuels: Discourse Dynamics on Biofuels in Germany

Selbmann¹

2015

environ values

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“…Public debate can also be understood by discourse analysis, which focuses on the construction of meaning in communication (Cotton, Rattle and Van Alstine 2014;Hajer 1995;Schwedes, Kettner and Tiedtke 2013;Selbmann and Ide 2015). Discourses "represent sedimentations of meaning which are reproduced in social interactions again and again" (Selbmann and Ide 2015, p. 119).…”

Section: Framing Theory and Discourse Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Discourses "represent sedimentations of meaning which are reproduced in social interactions again and again" (Selbmann and Ide 2015, p. 119). The discourse may focus on a storyline, which is a condensed narrative that represents the opinion of a discourse coalition (Cotton, Rattle and Van Alstine 2014;Hajer 1995;Selbmann and Ide 2015). A discourse coalition may contain persons or entities with different interests and motivations, who come together around a shared storyline.…”

Section: Framing Theory and Discourse Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Electric Vehicles in Reducing Climate Impact: Swedish Public Debate 2010–2018

Olsson¹

2019

The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Respon

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To meet the Paris agreement, CO2 emissions from road transport need to be severely lowered. In Sweden, as in many other countries, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing rapidly. This has led to a recurring debate on whether EVs will help reduce climate impact or not. The aim of this paper is to analyze the Swedish debate on the climate impact of EVs with respect to framing and validity of the arguments. Thirty-one opinion pieces published between 2010 and 2018 are studied. Two discourse coalitions are identified; supporters and opponents of EVs. The opponents' main argument is that EVs use imported, coal-fired electricity with high CO2 emissions. The supporters argue that EVs use Swedish, fossil-free electricity, thereby causing no CO2 emissions. Neither coalition's arguments are wholly valid, but nor are they wholly false. Swedish electricity production is largely fossil free, but, at times of high electricity demand, fossil-based electricity is imported. Thus, Swedish EVs often use fossil-free electricity, but sometimes they do not. This is likely to continue with a large-scale transition to electromobility. Both discourse coalitions motivate their positions with a desire to reduce climate impact. EV supporters are optimistic about technology development and frame EVs as fundamental for future carbon-neutral possibilities. While EV opponents are pessimistic, their framing of the issue implies a need for society to assume responsibility for sustainability in a wide system perspective. This should be acknowledged and used by policy-makers, to ensure that EVs' full potential for climate change mitigation be realized.

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“…The little amount paid by the plant for the delivered raw material left the cooperative in a difficult financial position, and farmers had not enough financial resources to plant soy the following year. The cooperative stopped commercializing soybean ever since and has specialized in maize again 9 . Only 20 of the associates still produce soybean at present, and they sell it to a large food industry in Bebedouro, 88km away, outside the cooperative and the SFS.…”

Section: The Sfs Implementation: Experiences In the State Of São Paulomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Brazil had a pioneering role in the promotion of biofuel production and use, and represents the most successful attempt of oil substitution in transport [8]. Bioethanol is a core part of Brazilian energy strategy since 1975 -when the National Alcohol Program (PROALCOOL) was launched as a response to the petroleum crisis and the falling sugar prices [9]. The incentives originally included in the program have experienced changes over time, but high fuel taxes on gasoline, tax credits for ethanol and mandates to blend anhydrous ethanol in gasoline still exist [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A closer look at the Brazilian Social Fuel Seal: uptake, operation and dysfunctions

Marcossi

Moreno-Pérez

2017

Biofuels

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Due to the increasing concerns about the social effects of biofuel production in developing countries, the Brazilian government created the Social Fuel Seal (SFS) within the framework of the National Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB) launched in 2004. The SFS is a voluntary certification scheme aimed at upgrading small farmers in the biodiesel value chain. In this article we discuss the institutional settings and explore the uptake, achievements and shortcomings of this political instrument in the light of the official data and the academic literature. Specific aspects of the practical implementation of SFS are examined upon the base of interviews conducted with different stakeholders in the state of São Paulo. Important dysfunctions in the overall operation of the SFS put under question the accomplishment of the social inclusion objective and awaken concerns about the sustainability of the role of family farmers in it.

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Between redeemer and work of the devil: The transnational Brazilian biofuel discourse

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

Bio-, Agro- or even Social Fuels: Discourse Dynamics on Biofuels in Germany

Bio-, Agro- or even Social Fuels: Discourse Dynamics on Biofuels in Germany

The Role of Electric Vehicles in Reducing Climate Impact: Swedish Public Debate 2010–2018

A closer look at the Brazilian Social Fuel Seal: uptake, operation and dysfunctions

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