Virtual icon Petroholism, Competitiveness, and Looking to the West: The Construction of Security in Energy Transitions in Estonia, Finland, and Norway (2006–2023)

Abstract

This dissertation explores the discursive construction of security in the context of energy transitions, particularly in Estonia, Finland, and Norway, from 2006 to 2023. It examines how energy transitions intersect with security and defence policies, particularly amidst global crises such as climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and geopolitical disruptions. The study aims to address the research gap concerning the potential negative and unintended consequences of energy transitions and their implications for sustainability transitions. The dissertation has three main objectives: to analyse the role of discourse in shaping sustainability transitions, to illustrate the interconnected nature of policy-making in a globalised world, and to rethink the concept of security in the context of climate change mitigation. The research is grounded in discursive institutionalism and world society theory, sociology of security and draws on the literature of sustainability transitions, which involves socio-technical changes in systems such as energy. The dissertation also uses the concepts of positive and negative security to broaden security thinking beyond state security and the military. Methodologically, the dissertation employs social constructivism, interpretative policy analysis, and discourse analysis, to investigate policy-making during significant transitions. It combines analysis of strategy documents with expert interviews to understand the discursive construction of security in energy transitions. The results indicate that negative security – that is, state-based, coercive conceptions of security – are hindering energy transition processes even during peacetime. The dissertation contributes to the understanding of how discourse, institutions, and actors shape sustainability transitions and emphasises the importance of inclusive and comprehensive decision-making for just and sustainable energy transitions.