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Sustaining the “black gold”: Examining coal narratives in the Bełchatów Basin Area and their impact on carbon lock-in

Rudnik, Paulina LU (2024) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20241
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
As one of the biggest coal producers in the EU and a country with a coal-based energy system, Poland is faced with a difficult challenge of transforming the energy sector. However, coal has a very powerful position in the country, protected by incumbent actors and their interests. This thesis focuses on the Bełchatów Basin, an important lignite region, and examines coal narratives and their implications for the carbon lock-in. Through discourse analysis, the thesis reveals that the local debate is dominated by pro-coal narratives supported by the incumbents. Simultaneously, several alternative narratives try to challenge the role of coal in the energy system and open a pathway of discursive change. The discursive struggle results in two... (More)
As one of the biggest coal producers in the EU and a country with a coal-based energy system, Poland is faced with a difficult challenge of transforming the energy sector. However, coal has a very powerful position in the country, protected by incumbent actors and their interests. This thesis focuses on the Bełchatów Basin, an important lignite region, and examines coal narratives and their implications for the carbon lock-in. Through discourse analysis, the thesis reveals that the local debate is dominated by pro-coal narratives supported by the incumbents. Simultaneously, several alternative narratives try to challenge the role of coal in the energy system and open a pathway of discursive change. The discursive struggle results in two discursive lock-in mechanisms created by the dominant and some alternative narratives. Consequently, the carbon lock-in is reinforced discursively, which can become a potential obstruction for the coal phase-out process in Poland. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rudnik, Paulina LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainability Science, energy transition, coal phase-out, discourse, lock-in
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2024:003
language
English
id
9153528
date added to LUP
2024-05-27 10:25:30
date last changed
2024-05-27 10:25:30
@misc{9153528,
  abstract     = {{As one of the biggest coal producers in the EU and a country with a coal-based energy system, Poland is faced with a difficult challenge of transforming the energy sector. However, coal has a very powerful position in the country, protected by incumbent actors and their interests. This thesis focuses on the Bełchatów Basin, an important lignite region, and examines coal narratives and their implications for the carbon lock-in. Through discourse analysis, the thesis reveals that the local debate is dominated by pro-coal narratives supported by the incumbents. Simultaneously, several alternative narratives try to challenge the role of coal in the energy system and open a pathway of discursive change. The discursive struggle results in two discursive lock-in mechanisms created by the dominant and some alternative narratives. Consequently, the carbon lock-in is reinforced discursively, which can become a potential obstruction for the coal phase-out process in Poland.}},
  author       = {{Rudnik, Paulina}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Sustaining the “black gold”: Examining coal narratives in the Bełchatów Basin Area and their impact on carbon lock-in}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}