Actors, interests and values : the Norwegian emissions trading system from an institutional perspective

Abstract

This thesis covers the Norwegian emissions trading process from the early steps in 1998-2001 towards articulating a climate policy including emissions trading, up until the integration of the Norwegian emissions trading system with the EU system parallel to the beginning of the Kyoto commitment period from 2008-2012. The purpose of my thesis is to understand the relationship between actors, interests and values in shaping the institutional structure, and how the institutions once established influence the actors and their preferences. Through analyzing the Norwegian emissions trading process from an institutional perspective I have been able to reveal the importance of the institutional structure in influencing how certain interests and values become protected. In this thesis I have revealed how the economic discourse‘s emphasis on costeffectiveness has limited the inclusion of more general equity concerns and alternative perspectives. From a constructivist perspective, I explore how the emissions trading system has influenced the actors‘ preferences and values, and thus which arguments have been perceived as valid.