Climate Changing Civil Society?
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Climate Changing Civil Society? - Norwegian non-state actors’ channels, strategies, and influence in the UNFCCC negotiations Naomi Ichihara Røkkum Master’s thesis at the Department of Political Science UNIVERSITY OF OSLO 26th May 2015 Climate Changing Civil Society? - Norwegian non-state actors’ channels, strategies, and influence in the UNFCCC negotiations Naomi Ichihara Røkkum II © Naomi Ichihara Røkkum 2015 Climate Changing Civil Society? Naomi Ichihara Røkkum http://www.duo.uio.no/ Printed: CopyCat, Skøyen III Abstract There has been a tremendous civil society presence at the UNFCCC negotiations. However, the extent to which they work strategically to influence the negotiations have varied. In this thesis, I consider the following research questions: 1) Which channels of influence are available for the Norwegian non-state actors into the UNFCCC negotiations from 2009-2014? 2) What type of strategies do these NGOs apply? 3) To what extent do they succeed in reaching their strategic goals? There is a growing academic literature on NGO influence in the climate negotiations, particularly looking at transnational networks. However, there is limited research on the Norwegian civil society specifically, that sheds light on their efforts to influence the international negotiations. The ambition of this thesis is therefore to contribute to the academic debate from this angle. In order to allow that and increase the applicableness to further research, the analytical framework on NGO influence in environmental negotiations developed by Michele M. Betsill and Elisabeth Corell is applied. In this qualitative case study three different type of Norwegian non-state actors were chosen: a) a membership based activist environmental NGO, the Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature; b) an intellectually based advisory environmental NGO, Bellona Foundation and; c) a lobbyist business NGO that represents an important sector in the national economy, Norwegian Shipowners' Association. Based on informant interviews, document analysis, fieldwork, and former research, I find that these organisations apply a wide repertoire of strategies in order to influence various policy levels with an implication for the UNFCCC negotiations. Although the thesis started with a pessimistic perspective, through the empirical data and analysis, I conclude that there are in fact evidence of influence – at times quite significantly so. Word count: 39 741 IV V Acknowledgements It has been an exciting path. It started with my personal experience coordinating approximately a hundred delegates at the climate negotiations in Copenhagen in 2009. The tens of thousands of delegates from all over the world inside the Bella Centre, with more activists demonstrating outside – it was without doubt an overwhelming experience at times. The impressions from Copenhagen triggered my academic interest for civil society participation, and it has truly been an intriguing journey to dig into the strategies of professional, hardworking, and experienced organisations. It has undoubtedly been an educational path. First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Arild Underdal for his wise guidance. I am truly grateful for the support throughout the process of researching and writing this thesis. Furthermore, the thesis would not been complete without the representatives from Naturvernforbundet (NNV), Bellona and Rederiforbundet (NSA), other NGO representatives, the Norwegian negotiators, former Environment Ministers and current Political Adviser, Members of Parliament, and staff from the UNFCCC Secretariat who allowed me their insights. It has been intriguing to learn from you all. Professor Tora Skodvin and Professor Olav Stokke, your advice has been very valuable particularly in the founding phase of the thesis. PhD Candidate Håkon Sælen, I thank you for the discussions we have had and letting me draw from your experience at COPs. Fellow students, particularly Anniken Berger and Maria Haga, have been essential discussion partners along the way. I am thankful for your inputs and I hope I was able to give you some feedback as well. Kristian Takvam Kindt, thank you for letting me occupy your tape recorder for half a year! Last but not least, Kai-Morten Terning, Ida Kjeøy, Andreas Skjæret, Nora Stranden Hoel, Haakon Riekeles, Emma With, Ingrid Kylstad, and Agnes Árnadóttir, you have all been very supportive, and I have truly appreciated your patience and valuable friendship while I was digging into the research. Both your friendly and critical inputs on my thesis have been treasured. After all, as Oscar Wilde wrote: “True friends stab you in front”. VI Acronyms BINGO Business and industry non-governmental organisations CAN Climate Action Network CBDR (-RC) Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (and Respective Capabilities) COP Conference of Parties ENGO Environmental non-governmental organisations IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change HoD Head of Delegation ICS International Chamber of Shipping IMO International Maritime Organisation NNV Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature/Friends of the Earth Norway (Norwegian name: Norges Naturvernforbund) NSA Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (Norwegian name: Norges Rederiforbund) REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries RINGO Research and independent non-governmental organisations SBSTA Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice TUNGO Trade unions non-governmental organisations YOUNGO Youth non-governmental organisations UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change VII Contents 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Research Questions...................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Previous Research and Theoretical Framework .......................................................... 4 1.3 Research Design .......................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Outline ......................................................................................................................... 7 2 Previous Research and Theoretical Framework ................................................................. 8 2.1 Theoretical Background and Literature Review .......................................................... 9 2.2 Channels: Intergovernmental State-centric? .............................................................. 10 2.3 Strategy: Activists, Advisors or Lobbyists ................................................................ 11 2.4 Theory on Non-state Actors’ Influence ..................................................................... 15 3 Method ............................................................................................................................. 19 3.1 Case Selection............................................................................................................ 19 3.2 Description of Method ............................................................................................... 22 3.3 Discussion of Method ................................................................................................ 26 3.4 Threats to Validity and Reliability ............................................................................ 27 4 Canvassing the Channels .................................................................................................. 29 4.1 International Negotiations and Processes: UNFCCC ................................................ 29 4.2 Domestic/foreign/regional climate policy ................................................................. 45 4.3 Target groups’ climate policy and behaviour ............................................................ 48 4.4 Public opinion ............................................................................................................ 50 4.5 Concluding remarks: Considering Channels ............................................................. 51 5 Different NGO Types and Their Diverse Strategies ........................................................ 53 5.1 NNV – The “Necktie Activists”? .............................................................................. 53 5.2 Bellona – Technological Solutions over “Comma Fucking” ................................... 63 5.3 NSA’s strategy: the Discreet Business Lobbyist ....................................................... 74 5.4 Activist, Advisory, and Lobbyist NGOs? Concluding Remarks on Strategies ......... 81 6 Influence: Putting the Empirical Puzzle Together .......................................................... 85 6.1 NNV’s Impact............................................................................................................ 86 6.2 Bellona’s Impact ........................................................................................................ 92 6.3 NSA’s Impact ............................................................................................................ 97 6.4 Evaluating the Impact – Concluding remarks on Influence .................................... 103 VIII 7 Conclusion: NGO Professionalism ................................................................................ 105 7.1 Summing Up the Study...........................................................................................