Problems, policy and politics : using the multiple streams framework to analyse the biochar policy process in Norwegian agriculture

Abstract

Over the past decade, biochar has been proposed as a solution to climate change in the agricultural sector because of its potential to sequester carbon. Although there is evidently interest from both farmers and the Norwegian government, there is to date no implemented biochar policy in Norway that grants farmers payment for carbon storage. This thesis utilises John W. Kingdon's (2014) theory of Multiple Streams Framework to analyse what is required to adopt and implement the biochar policy proposal as a climate measure in Norwegian agriculture. The thesis argue that in an ongoing policy process to implement new climate measures in the agricultural sector a window of opportunity is opening to adopt a biochar policy proposal from 2021, when the agricultural sector will reduce emissions towards their emission reduction target in 2030. The chances for adopting a biochar policy may increase if a number of identified challenges are managed and transformed into a feasible policy design that is ready for implementation. However, results from this study indicate an overall complexity that constrains the ability of involved actors to manage the challenges and coordinate the biochar policy proposal towards implementation. Moreover, the presence of leadership that could steer the policy process may enhance the success of the biochar policy proposal.