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Deus ex machina: A critical discourse analysis of Singapore's low-carbon transition in The Straits Times

Chan, Ethan Kye Xiang LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Fossil fuel companies have shifted from outright climate denial to subtler strategies of delay. These include low-carbon solutions — carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen — which legitimise and extend fossil fuel dependency. This study examines how low-carbon discourses operate through the media in Singapore, a major refining and petrochemical hub with an authoritarian state-aligned media system. Using Fairclough's critical discourse analysis and carbon lock-in, I analyse 72 online articles (2019-2026) from The Straits Times (ST) to investigate how they shape a particular understanding of low-carbon solutions that privileges certain actors and technologies in Singapore's energy transition while delegitimising others.... (More)
Fossil fuel companies have shifted from outright climate denial to subtler strategies of delay. These include low-carbon solutions — carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen — which legitimise and extend fossil fuel dependency. This study examines how low-carbon discourses operate through the media in Singapore, a major refining and petrochemical hub with an authoritarian state-aligned media system. Using Fairclough's critical discourse analysis and carbon lock-in, I analyse 72 online articles (2019-2026) from The Straits Times (ST) to investigate how they shape a particular understanding of low-carbon solutions that privileges certain actors and technologies in Singapore's energy transition while delegitimising others. I find that ST employed strategic ambiguity and techno-optimism to advance the interests of the Singaporean state and fossil fuel companies, especially Shell and ExxonMobil. These discursive practices reinforce infrastructural and technological lock-in and institutional lock-in in Singapore, implying lock-in risks for other countries adopting low-carbon solutions. (Less)
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author
Chan, Ethan Kye Xiang LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
low carbon solutions, critical discourse analysis, carbon lock-in, energy transition, Singapore, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:006
language
English
id
9229925
date added to LUP
2026-06-03 14:22:43
date last changed
2026-06-03 14:22:43
@misc{9229925,
  abstract     = {{Fossil fuel companies have shifted from outright climate denial to subtler strategies of delay. These include low-carbon solutions — carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen — which legitimise and extend fossil fuel dependency. This study examines how low-carbon discourses operate through the media in Singapore, a major refining and petrochemical hub with an authoritarian state-aligned media system. Using Fairclough's critical discourse analysis and carbon lock-in, I analyse 72 online articles (2019-2026) from The Straits Times (ST) to investigate how they shape a particular understanding of low-carbon solutions that privileges certain actors and technologies in Singapore's energy transition while delegitimising others. I find that ST employed strategic ambiguity and techno-optimism to advance the interests of the Singaporean state and fossil fuel companies, especially Shell and ExxonMobil. These discursive practices reinforce infrastructural and technological lock-in and institutional lock-in in Singapore, implying lock-in risks for other countries adopting low-carbon solutions.}},
  author       = {{Chan, Ethan Kye Xiang}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Deus ex machina: A critical discourse analysis of Singapore's low-carbon transition in The Straits Times}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}