A green recovery in Norway : contradictory energy policy responses in times of crises

Abstract

This thesis looks at Norway’s policy responses in the pandemic, focusing on domestic energy policy and its impact on the green recovery – a response seen in the EU to decarbonize the energy industry and lay the foundation for green growth. It uses a qualitative framework to uncover the deeper meanings in reports written by the for and by the authorities. An additional semi-structured interview of ten respondents fills in the gap of what the reports’ content does not reveal – where there is evidence in domestic energy policy that Norway is part of a green recovery. It finds that Norway’s response has been contradictory because it has seen an upscale of investments and tax cuts in the oil and gas industry, with significantly lower investments in a sustainable energy transformation. These contradictory responses are explained by a history of path dependency and opposing interests from different sectors that have caused a shift in rhetoric, unsustainable governance structures and inadequate environmental protection, climate resilience, and climate neutrality goals. The dynamics of the energy debate radically changed after the electricity price crisis and the Ukrainian war, thereby changing the narrative of resource politics. The energy policy responses found in government reports show a different outcome than what actors from the energy industry and NGOs perceived.