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Constructing Plastic Offsetting as an Ethical Consumption Practice? A critical discourse analysis of three organisations

Kolbe, Moritz Henry LU (2022) MIDM19 20221
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Plastic offsetting is a new market-based approach for corporations and individuals to reduce their ‘plastic footprint’. This study seeks to understand how plastic offsetting organisations are discursively representing plastic offsetting as an ethical consumption practice, to convince corporations and individuals to purchase plastic credits. The main research question of the study is: How are plastic offsetting organisations discursively constructing plastic offsetting to
establish it as an ethical consumption practice? The study was conducted based on a critical analysis of the discourse produced in plastic offsetting organisations’ public communications material. Plastic offsetting organisations represent plastic offsetting as an easy... (More)
Plastic offsetting is a new market-based approach for corporations and individuals to reduce their ‘plastic footprint’. This study seeks to understand how plastic offsetting organisations are discursively representing plastic offsetting as an ethical consumption practice, to convince corporations and individuals to purchase plastic credits. The main research question of the study is: How are plastic offsetting organisations discursively constructing plastic offsetting to
establish it as an ethical consumption practice? The study was conducted based on a critical analysis of the discourse produced in plastic offsetting organisations’ public communications material. Plastic offsetting organisations represent plastic offsetting as an easy and flexible solution that corporations and individuals can take to contribute to saving a planet in need, while benefitting vulnerable populations in the process. Through narratives and technological tools,
such as online plastic footprint calculators, plastic offsetting organisations attempt to appeal to customers’ ideas of what ethical conduct should involve, in turn presenting plastic offsetting as innovative solution to act ethically. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Kolbe, Moritz Henry LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
plastic offsetting, plastic credits, critical discourse analysis, governmentality
language
English
id
9099020
date added to LUP
2022-09-14 13:50:02
date last changed
2022-09-14 13:50:02
@misc{9099020,
  abstract     = {{Plastic offsetting is a new market-based approach for corporations and individuals to reduce their ‘plastic footprint’. This study seeks to understand how plastic offsetting organisations are discursively representing plastic offsetting as an ethical consumption practice, to convince corporations and individuals to purchase plastic credits. The main research question of the study is: How are plastic offsetting organisations discursively constructing plastic offsetting to
establish it as an ethical consumption practice? The study was conducted based on a critical analysis of the discourse produced in plastic offsetting organisations’ public communications material. Plastic offsetting organisations represent plastic offsetting as an easy and flexible solution that corporations and individuals can take to contribute to saving a planet in need, while benefitting vulnerable populations in the process. Through narratives and technological tools,
such as online plastic footprint calculators, plastic offsetting organisations attempt to appeal to customers’ ideas of what ethical conduct should involve, in turn presenting plastic offsetting as innovative solution to act ethically.}},
  author       = {{Kolbe, Moritz Henry}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Constructing Plastic Offsetting as an Ethical Consumption Practice? A critical discourse analysis of three organisations}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}