Renovation realities: Actors, institutional work and the struggle to transform Finnish energy policy
Loading...
Access rights
openAccess
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
This publication is imported from Aalto University research portal.
View publication in the Research portal (opens in new window)
View/Open full text file from the Research portal (opens in new window)
Other link related to publication (opens in new window)
View publication in the Research portal (opens in new window)
View/Open full text file from the Research portal (opens in new window)
Other link related to publication (opens in new window)
Date
2020-12
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
12
Series
Energy Research and Social Science, Volume 70
Abstract
Transitions research argues that destabilizing current carbon-intensive regimes is necessary for transforming energy systems. In this study, we analyze how both new and established energy policy actors seek to influence energy transitions in a relatively stable institutional context. Our empirical focus is on Finland, where the governance of energy policy has been characterized as closed and stagnant and is increasingly challenged by novel actors. The analysis is based on expert interviews (n=24), completed with existing literature and other documentary material. We examine the different forms of institutional work actors undertake. Our analysis shows how the existing institutional setting conditions actors’ choices over the endeavors that are worth pursuing. We show how the institutional work approach adds nuance to studying actors’ activities in regime destabilization processes. We find that actors focus on creative institutional work and avoid disruptive activities. While our results confirm a strong commitment to carbon neutrality, the focus on creative institutional work and a lack of disruption point to incremental changes in energy policy and networks.Description
Keywords
Agency, Carbon neutrality, Destabilization, Discourse, Energy transitions, Politics
Other note
Citation
Kainiemi, L, Karhunmaa, K & Eloneva, S 2020, ' Renovation realities : Actors, institutional work and the struggle to transform Finnish energy policy ', Energy Research and Social Science, vol. 70, 101778 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101778