Paradigm shifts in energy: examining the impact of ideas on the implementation of low-carbon policies in the EU and the US

Kelly, Katrina M. (2017) Paradigm shifts in energy: examining the impact of ideas on the implementation of low-carbon policies in the EU and the US. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Climate change and the continuing changes that accompany it require society and its broader institutions to evolve continuously. Today’s continual atmospheric damage requires a commitment to ecological considerations that show consistent and meaningful carbon reductions. The success of global carbon mitigation depends entirely on the capabilities of individual governing bodies agreeing and delivering upon their climate ambitions. However, delivering impactful progress on emissions is a considerable challenge. Although there has been significant research as to what climate mitigation goals should encompass, the policy path and resulting incremental changes needed to achieve them require additional scholarly attention.

This thesis analyses the role of institutions as they adapt to support societies addressing climate change. Adopting a historical institutional approach provides a pathway for understanding the coordination of information, individuals, institutional adjustments, and their role in the carbon policy process. By focusing on the impact of ecological modernisation ideas, this work addresses the ambiguity that lies between contradicting approaches to climate governance and instead, analyses the incremental changes needed to support societies as they address climate change. Systemically gathering policy tools from 1992-2012, this research empirically examines the nature, ambition, and achievements of mitigation policy in the EU and US as they transition to a low-carbon future.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors: Meyer-Sahling, Jan-Hinrik
Eadie, Pauline
Keywords: energy; institutionalism; ecological modernisation
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
J Political science > JA Political science (General)
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Social Sciences, Law and Education > School of Politics and International Relations
Item ID: 47915
Depositing User: Kelly, Katrina
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2017 04:40
Last Modified: 14 Dec 2017 09:47
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/47915

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