The role of discourse and linguistic framing effects in sustaining high carbon energy policy—An accessible introduction

Scrase, J. Ivan; Ockwell, David

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2009.12.010

Cited by 118 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…As one of the first studies to examine the Scottish debate over unconventional natural gas development, this article draws on insights from existing discursive analyses of energy controversies [9,53,60]. Given the dearth of secondary material on Scottish UGD, extensive media and documentary analysis as well as semi-structured interviews represent the main empirical sources.…”

Section: Context and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such divergent interpretations are not surprising because the political salience of UGD is high and the role of scientific expertise is complex. Given that ample "counter expertise" ( [26]: 109) is often available, scientific knowledge rarely settles political contests in the short term [60]. This 'politicised' appraisal of scientific expertise contrasts with the Scottish government's ambition for a resolutely 'evidence-based' approach to UGD.…”

Section: Context and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The discursive politics of unconventional gas in Scotland: Drifting towards precaution?

Stephan

2017

Energy Research & Social Science

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Abstract:With a long history of oil and gas production and potentially significant reserves of unconventional gas, Scotland represents a notable case amid the growing international controversy over unconventional gas development (UGD). This article applies argumentative discourse analysis to the Scottish debate over UGD and identifies several important storylines which have mobilised different discourse coalitions and shaped public opinion as well as policy-making. For now, anti-UGD storylines appear more encompassing and have achieved greater resonance. Of particular interest, however, is the role of the Scottish government as a third discourse coalition. Through a moratorium on all forms of UGD and a cautious 'evidence-based approach', the government has established a form of discursive dominance and has successfully minimised electoral risks. But its anti-Westminster storyline -created in the run-up to the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 -has undermined the government's pragmatic strategy by invoking Scottish resistance to the UK's pursuit of shale gas. While the evidence-based approach persists as the preeminent storyline, its interpretation has 'drifted' from (1) a modestly reformed planning policy to (2) an exercise in scientific fact-finding combined with a public consultation and, arguably, (3) to a precautionary approach that might lay the foundation for an extended moratorium.

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Section: Context and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Context and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The discursive politics of unconventional gas in Scotland: Drifting towards precaution?

Stephan

2017

Energy Research & Social Science

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“…This paper examines these issues through the lens of interpretive policy analysis, understanding public policy debate as a matter of discourse -referring to the ensembles of multiple understandings, framings and contexts that lead to the social construction of environmental problems by different actors (Hajer, 1993). The analysis of discourse encompasses what can and cannot be said about such problems in public dialogue, and by extension allows policy analysts to understand how the framing of energy policy problems and solutions through language can sustain or overturn dominant policy positions (Scrase and Ockwell, 2010).…”

Section: Shale Gas As Discoursementioning

confidence: 99%

Shale gas policy in the United Kingdom: An argumentative discourse analysis

2014

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Shale gas has become an energy policy priority in the United Kingdom in light of profitable extraction activities in the United States. Since 2012, the UK Government has created key economic drivers to encourage shale exploration, whilst growing activism in affected site communities has stirred significant media and academic commentary. This study examines the growing national debate as a matter of discourse; adopting an argumentative discourse analytic approach to assess data collected from stakeholder interviews (n=21) and key policy actor statements quoted in broadsheet newspapers. We explore three dominant 'storylines' emerging in relation to shale gas policy.

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“…However, it should be clear from the literature outlined in this section that measuring risk and vulnerability is highly contingent. As pointed out by Scrase and Ockwell (2010) and Millstone (2015), understandings of problems and solutions are always based upon experiences, interpretations and value judgements, which in turn are shaped by social interactions; this holds true for experts, scientists and policy-makers. Thus knowledge is inherently plural and conditional (Stirling 2010).…”

Section: Plural Conditionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Energy Security in a Low-Carbon Context: The Case of Electricity in the UK

Cox

2016

SSRN Journal

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The role of discourse and linguistic framing effects in sustaining high carbon energy policy—An accessible introduction

Cited by 118 publications

References 17 publications

The discursive politics of unconventional gas in Scotland: Drifting towards precaution?

The discursive politics of unconventional gas in Scotland: Drifting towards precaution?

Shale gas policy in the United Kingdom: An argumentative discourse analysis

Assessing Energy Security in a Low-Carbon Context: The Case of Electricity in the UK

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