Conditions of 'Sustainability'

David Olsson | Conditions of ‘Sustainability’: Case of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden The The climate is changing. This poses severe risks to humans, societies, and ecosystems on which human well-being depends. Sweden is one of the countries described as a frontrunner in meeting the challenges of climate change. In addition to reducing human influence on the climate, these challenges also include climate change adaptation. However, even Sweden’s responses to these challenges are described as deficient in both rankings and research. Considering the cataclysmic risks posed by climate change, transformation is needed. In this thesis, I focus on current conditions of ‘sustainability’ in governing climate change adaptation in Sweden. I illustrate their limitations and possibilities in facilitating transformation and argue that conditions with new possibilities are needed. I also suggest ways to promote such transformative conditions. My research contribution forms part of a broader discussion of how ‘sustainability’ currently is constructed and how different possibilities for transformation could be attained, both in Sweden and elsewhere. Conditions of ‘Sustainability’ The Case of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden Print & Layout Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences University Printing Office, Karlstad 2018 Political Science DOCTORAL THESIS | Karlstad University Studies | 2018:16 David Olsson David Olsson | Conditions of ‘Sustainability’ Conditions of ‘Sustainability’ The climate is changing. This poses severe risks to humans, societies, and ecosystems on which human well-being depends. Sweden is one of the countries Conditions of described as a frontrunner in meeting the challenges of climate change. In 2018:16 addition to reducing human influence on the climate, these challenges also include climate change adaptation. However, even Sweden’s responses to these ‘Sustainability’ challenges are described as deficient in both rankings and research. Considering the cataclysmic risks posed by climate change, transformation is needed. The Case of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden In this thesis, I focus on current conditions of ‘sustainability’ in governing climate change adaptation in Sweden. I illustrate their limitations and possibilities in facilitating transformation and argue that conditions with new possibilities are needed. I also suggest ways to promote such transformative conditions. My David Olsson research contribution forms part of a broader discussion of how ‘sustainability’ currently is constructed and how different possibilities for transformation could be attained, both in Sweden and elsewhere. ISBN 978-91-7063-847-3 (print) ISBN 978-91-7063-942-5 (pdf) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ISSN 1403-8099 Political Science DOCTORAL THESIS | Karlstad University Studies | 2018:16 DOCTORAL THESIS | Karlstad University Studies | 2018:16 Conditions of ‘Sustainability’ The Case of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden David Olsson DOCTORAL THESIS | Karlstad University Studies | 2018:16 Conditions of ‘Sustainability’ - The Case of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden David Olsson DOCTORAL THESIS Karlstad University Studies | 2018:16 urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-66969 ISSN 1403-8099 ISBN 978-91-7063-847-3 (print) ISBN 978-91-7063-942-5 (pdf) © The author Distribution: Karlstad University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies SE-651 88 Karlstad, Sweden +46 54 700 10 00 Print: Universitetstryckeriet, Karlstad 2018 WWW.KAU.SE To my family Acknowledgements It has been said that life is a roller-coaster. It is an excellent description of life as a PhD student. My experiences of being a PhD student entailed a lot of ups and downs. There were many inspiring and exciting periods. However, there were also periods loaded with anxiety and dismay. I have been fortunate to have so many wonderful colleagues, friends, and family members to share these times with, both the good and the bad. First of all, I want to thank my supervisors: Mikael Granberg and Line Säll. I do not want to think about what my thesis would have been like without you two. You have provided me with so much constructive feedback and encouragement. Mikael, you were with me throughout my years as a PhD student. You always made yourself available when I needed to test new ideas, when I were in need of guidance, and when I were in need of encouragement. You were always very generous with your time and provided me with many splendid and constructive comments. Your expertise on climate policy, planning, and sustainability research more broadly were also an enormous asset. Thank you! Line, you came in later in the process but were phenomenal from your first day on the job. You have provided me with outstanding comments. Your expertise on discourse analysis and method were particularly valuable. You also always made yourself available whenever I had questions and when I wanted to test ideas or were in need of new input. Not the least your words of encouragement have meant a lot. Thank you! I also want to thank my former supervisor, Lee Miles. During your time as my supervisor you provided me with valuable input. I also want to thank all of my colleagues at the Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies for your support and fruitful input throughout my PhD period. I want to thank all of my fellow PhD students and senior staff engaged in the CRS and the Graduate School in Regional Studies as well. You have all contributed to my development as a researcher. Although all of you provided valuable support, there are some of you that I have gotten to know better and would like to thank in particular. Andreas Öjehag-Petterson, we have known each other since the B course in Political Science. I am very thankful to have you as my colleague. Your friendship, your knowledge in political theory and method, and your words of encouragement meant and mean a lot. The rich discussions we have had throughout the years have strongly influenced me as a researcher and person. Tomas Mitander, thanks to your great sense of humor I have probably laughed twice as much as I would have, had you not been my colleague. The discussions we have had and your insightful comments have also developed me as a researcher. Arne Larsson, not only have you been a great teacher during my time as an undergraduate student. Your knowledge in political theory and the encouragement you have given me as a colleague have also meant a lot, not the least during my time as a PhD student. David Scott, I want to thank you for all of the inspiring talks we have had on different research topics. I am really glad to have you as my colleague. Mark Magnusson, your friendship and moral support throughout my PhD period have meant so much. Thank you! During my research process, there were also others with particularly important roles in shaping and improving the work with this thesis. Malin Rönnblom, thank you for your valuable comments on my final manuscript. I would also like to thank you for the seminar series you held during my time as a PhD student. These seminars contributed to shaping me into the researcher I am today. Jonathan Metzger, thank you for the valuable comments on my final seminar, held in November 2017. Marinette Grimbeek, thank you for proof reading my final manuscript and for all the valuable comments on my English. Outside of academia my family and friends have also provided much encouragement and support. Thank you! I especially want to thank my wonderful wife and children for your patience and faith in me. Emma and Kevin, thank you for your understanding, especially during the many late nights and weekends I spent working on this thesis the last year of my PhD period. Leigh Ann, if it were not for you, I do not think that I would have become a PhD student in the first place. You always believed in me and provided encouragement when I felt discouraged. I love you, and I am so thankful that I get to share my life with you. Table of Contents PART 1 INTRODUCTION, CONTEXT, THEORY, AND METHODS .................................................. 1 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 2 1.1 PURPOSE ...................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................................................................................................. 7 1.3 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AS A GOVERNING ISSUE ..................................................... 7 1.4 ADAPTATION AS PART OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ................................................... 10 1.4.1 Swedish spatial planning and climate change adaptation .................................. 11 1.4.2 Sustainable development ................................................................................... 12 1.4.3 Critiques of sustainable development ................................................................ 14 1.5 OUTLINE ..................................................................................................................... 17 2 THE CONTEXT OF ADAPTATION IN SWEDEN ............................................................ 19 2.1 THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES .................................................... 19 2.1.1 Role expectations on municipalities ................................................................... 20 2.1.2 Municipal responsibilities

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