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The Dark Side of the Sun A Critical Discourse Analysis of Ecological Modernisation in the Context of the Solar Economy in Morocco

Görisch, Ann-Kathrin LU (2015) HEKM50 20151
Human Ecology
Abstract
This thesis is a critical investigation of the emerging solar economy in Morocco. The launch of the Moroccan Solar Plan in 2009 has attracted substantial amounts of foreign investment. Notably, several multilateral development banks support the country’s large-scale solar projects. Instead of climate change mitigation however, their engagement is rather framed by an eco-modern ideology that aims at the reconciliation of economic growth and environmental sustainability. Through a critical discourse analysis this thesis studies to what extent ecological modernisation discourse is present in four texts in which key stakeholders who represent European, German, African, and Moroccan interests justify their respective engagement in Morocco’s... (More)
This thesis is a critical investigation of the emerging solar economy in Morocco. The launch of the Moroccan Solar Plan in 2009 has attracted substantial amounts of foreign investment. Notably, several multilateral development banks support the country’s large-scale solar projects. Instead of climate change mitigation however, their engagement is rather framed by an eco-modern ideology that aims at the reconciliation of economic growth and environmental sustainability. Through a critical discourse analysis this thesis studies to what extent ecological modernisation discourse is present in four texts in which key stakeholders who represent European, German, African, and Moroccan interests justify their respective engagement in Morocco’s solar sector. By drawing on eco-modernisation discourse the actors present the sector as progressive and climate-friendly. The discourse is coupled with a hegemonic development discourse that equates growth and development. Both discourses are embedded in a complex web of neoliberal politics, unequal power relations and diverging group interests. The search for the topic of climate change in the texts revealed that it is dealt with in a vague manner that leaves open in what ways economic growth contributes to climate change mitigation. (Less)
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author
Görisch, Ann-Kathrin LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM50 20151
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Morocco, solar energy, ecological modernisation, critical discourse analysis
language
English
id
5403356
date added to LUP
2015-06-25 15:17:56
date last changed
2015-06-25 15:17:56
@misc{5403356,
  abstract     = {{This thesis is a critical investigation of the emerging solar economy in Morocco. The launch of the Moroccan Solar Plan in 2009 has attracted substantial amounts of foreign investment. Notably, several multilateral development banks support the country’s large-scale solar projects. Instead of climate change mitigation however, their engagement is rather framed by an eco-modern ideology that aims at the reconciliation of economic growth and environmental sustainability. Through a critical discourse analysis this thesis studies to what extent ecological modernisation discourse is present in four texts in which key stakeholders who represent European, German, African, and Moroccan interests justify their respective engagement in Morocco’s solar sector. By drawing on eco-modernisation discourse the actors present the sector as progressive and climate-friendly. The discourse is coupled with a hegemonic development discourse that equates growth and development. Both discourses are embedded in a complex web of neoliberal politics, unequal power relations and diverging group interests. The search for the topic of climate change in the texts revealed that it is dealt with in a vague manner that leaves open in what ways economic growth contributes to climate change mitigation.}},
  author       = {{Görisch, Ann-Kathrin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Dark Side of the Sun A Critical Discourse Analysis of Ecological Modernisation in the Context of the Solar Economy in Morocco}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}