Running on fossil fumes : the Norwegian Snøvit case of fossil fuel depletion and obstacles for a sustainable transition to renewables
(2014) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM01 20141LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
- Abstract
- Global dependence on fossil fuels encourages the depletion of non-renewable resources, produces greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately contributes to anthropogenic climate change. Current efforts do not reduce depletion rates of these non-renewable resources despite collective action to improve long-term sustainability of Norwegian energy governance in the Barents Sea. This study focuses on the Snøvit (Snow White) development as a case of oil and gas resource extraction on the Norwegian continental shelf, and how the actors involved interact to ensure the long-term sustainability of national energy governance. Data is collected according to the indicators outlined in Elinor Ostrom’s framework for analyzing social-ecological systems... (More)
- Global dependence on fossil fuels encourages the depletion of non-renewable resources, produces greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately contributes to anthropogenic climate change. Current efforts do not reduce depletion rates of these non-renewable resources despite collective action to improve long-term sustainability of Norwegian energy governance in the Barents Sea. This study focuses on the Snøvit (Snow White) development as a case of oil and gas resource extraction on the Norwegian continental shelf, and how the actors involved interact to ensure the long-term sustainability of national energy governance. Data is collected according to the indicators outlined in Elinor Ostrom’s framework for analyzing social-ecological systems (SESs), using industry and governmental reports, publications, and academic articles. Information on these indicators is analyzed to assess their contribution to self-organization for sustainability, and summarized in tables. Results show that sixteen indicators restrict self-organization efforts for sustainability. This effect is likely due to several factors such as a high exploitation rate in contrast to a negligible regeneration rate, high economic value, as well as other macroeconomic factors. These findings are congruent with Ostrom’s theory that collective action and self-organization between actors can ensure conservation of a common resource when all indicators show a positive effect. The study demonstrates that exploitation of Snøvit resources leads to their depletion due to sixteen indicators that have a negative impact on self-organization for long-term sustainability. As a result of this work, policy makers and industry actors should guide decisions and collaborative efforts to improve environmental performance and address critical aspects to ensure long-term sustainability of energy resource governance according to the sixteen identified indicators. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/4451851
- author
- Melnic, Vlad LU
- supervisor
-
- Barry Ness LU
- organization
- course
- MESM01 20141
- year
- 2014
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- energy governance, fossil fuel resource depletion, long-term sustainability, resource governance, socio-ecological system, sustainability science
- publication/series
- Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
- report number
- 2014:003
- language
- English
- id
- 4451851
- date added to LUP
- 2014-06-02 09:16:08
- date last changed
- 2014-06-02 09:16:08
@misc{4451851, abstract = {{Global dependence on fossil fuels encourages the depletion of non-renewable resources, produces greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately contributes to anthropogenic climate change. Current efforts do not reduce depletion rates of these non-renewable resources despite collective action to improve long-term sustainability of Norwegian energy governance in the Barents Sea. This study focuses on the Snøvit (Snow White) development as a case of oil and gas resource extraction on the Norwegian continental shelf, and how the actors involved interact to ensure the long-term sustainability of national energy governance. Data is collected according to the indicators outlined in Elinor Ostrom’s framework for analyzing social-ecological systems (SESs), using industry and governmental reports, publications, and academic articles. Information on these indicators is analyzed to assess their contribution to self-organization for sustainability, and summarized in tables. Results show that sixteen indicators restrict self-organization efforts for sustainability. This effect is likely due to several factors such as a high exploitation rate in contrast to a negligible regeneration rate, high economic value, as well as other macroeconomic factors. These findings are congruent with Ostrom’s theory that collective action and self-organization between actors can ensure conservation of a common resource when all indicators show a positive effect. The study demonstrates that exploitation of Snøvit resources leads to their depletion due to sixteen indicators that have a negative impact on self-organization for long-term sustainability. As a result of this work, policy makers and industry actors should guide decisions and collaborative efforts to improve environmental performance and address critical aspects to ensure long-term sustainability of energy resource governance according to the sixteen identified indicators.}}, author = {{Melnic, Vlad}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, series = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}}, title = {{Running on fossil fumes : the Norwegian Snøvit case of fossil fuel depletion and obstacles for a sustainable transition to renewables}}, year = {{2014}}, }