Abstract
This thesis discusses potential measures to mitigate CO2-emissions presented in two Norwegian newspapers, Aftenposten and Klassekampen, in 2021. Aftenposten is considered mainstream and conservative, and Klassekampen a radical left-wing newspaper. In 2021, floods and heatwaves dominated, COP26 was held in Glasgow and climate change was a major theme in the government election in Norway. The research method is qualitative content analysis of 483 texts (both news and opinion content) based on the research question: How are potential measures to mitigate the climate crisis presented in two Norwegian newspapers and to what extent do they address technical solutions and/or structural and justice aspects? Previous studies indicate a clear connection between the use of news media and potential involvement with climate issues. Climate journalism is therefore essential for the public understanding of climate change as well as for debate and civic engagement; and impacts what solutions we believe to be achievable. One of the main purposes of this thesis is to explore if the selected newspapers present connections between the climate crisis and economic growth, when covering potential measures to mitigate CO2 emissions; or, if they present technological measures as sufficient solutions. Moreover, the thesis explores if and if so, how, issues of justice in the energy transition – for whom, when and where – are present. The research shows a surprising similarity between Aftenposten and Klassekampen. Climate mitigation measures connected to energy and technology is to a large degree present in the news content. Economic growth critique is almost solely present in the opinion content. This can be seen in connection to the journalistic norm of objectivity, which many scholars argue hampers the possibility for journalists to challenge – in news stories – the economic status quo. Furthermore, the research shows that while there are differences between the coverage in the two newspapers, both Aftenposten and Klassekampen tend to emphasize controversies connected to the energy transition, as well as having an extensive coverage of the petroleum industry. There is also a tendency to present repeating storylines which might reflect a slow progression on climate mitigation measures. Overall, politicians are the most frequently used cited sources. This can be connected to the journalistic norm of authority, but it impacts whose perspectives on climate mitigation measures which are presented in the newspapers. Issues of justice are to a great extent absent in the studied material, though Klassekampen covers such aspects to a larger degree than Aftenposten.