How Oslo engages the world globally : a study of Oslo’s involvement in transnational city networks on climate and environment

Abstract

Cities are increasingly gaining interest as an object of study within the field of International Relations. While cities are not new, they have for long been overlooked within the field of international relations. However, cities are currently gaining prominence as international actors. Whether it is issues related to economic growth, migration or climate change, cities are gradually cooperating with each other through multilateral platforms.

This thesis is concerned with providing a comprehensive understanding of Oslo’s role in contemporary transnational city networks. As part of transnational city networks such as Eurocities and Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), Oslo has gained international recognition on its work concerning climate change and green innovation. By incorporating the concept city diplomacy to encapsulate the activities of cities on the international arena, this thesis asks the following research question: How does Oslo do diplomacy? Six Norwegian experts currently working on a municipal, ministerial, and academic level are interviewed in order to examine Oslo’s network participation. The findings of this study argue that Oslo’s international involvement in city networks root in specific purposes, which in turn reflects how Oslo engages in different city networks. As such, Oslo utilizes different networks for different purposes, whereof experience and knowledge-sharing concerning green policies play an important role. Moreover, suggestion are made that Oslo utilizes international cooperation for gaining increased legitimacy domestically.