Abstract

This study examines how the European Union (EU) energy policy goals are translated in Estonia, a country heavily reliant on fossil fuel oil shale and having one of the most energy-intensive economies in the EU. Drawing on Hajer's approach to discourse and different qualitative methods, we analyse the production of different low-carbon storylines. Our findings show that state and industrial actors accommodate environmentally damaging oil shale production in low-carbon energy transformation, despite good conditions for expanding renewable energy. Additionally, they limit their ambition to transform mere technological modifications to the minimum requirements of the EU GHG emission reduction target. The socio-economic conditions of workers and people living near oil shale mining areas, primarily Estonian Russians, are a critical factor in upholding oil shale as a necessity. Despite being at the centre of dominant storylines, these people are portrayed as a category that needs to be kept at ease, rather than actively engaged in constructing acceptable sustainable routes to low-carbon futures. We conclude that in order to accelerate the decarbonisation in Estonia and beyond, and unleashing the transformative potential of EU energy policy, it is vital to make marginalised voices heard and engaged in energy policy decision-making.

Keywords

Low-carbon economy; Decarbonisation; Estonia; Oil shale; Discourse; Climate change

Published in

Energy Policy
2019, Volume: 135, article number: 111063

SLU Authors

• Holmgren, Sara

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Fischer, Klara

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


UKÄ Subject classification

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111063

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/102867