Structure: Neutral Context or Influential Factor?

Abstract

Consumption of red meat has been recommended reduced from a climate and health perspective. In Norway, National Nutrition Council has pointed it out through their dietary advice published in 2011. Meat production is an important part of the Norwegian agriculture, and dietary advice has faced criticism from agriculture because of their recommendation of reduced consumption of red meat. A debate about whether red meat may be climate friendly has also taken place. Red meat and climate change is an intersectoral issue with multiple interests, cutting across the health sector, the climate and environmental sector and the agricultural sector. The Sustainable Development Goals points out the connection between food production, climate change and nutrition, and the need to view the issue holistically to address it properly. On this basis, I found it relevant to look at how the central administration in Norway handles the issue of red meat and climate change, by focusing on the three sectors. Based on an assumption that the behaviour of government officials has an impact on policy outcome, I have through an organizational and institutional approach looked at what might influence their behaviour in dealing with this matter. To answer the research question, I have interviewed informants from directorates and ministries from the health sectors, the climate and environmental sector and the agricultural sector within the central administration. Official documents from the corresponding sectors have also been used to show how this case has been handled. Based on this research, I have in this thesis drawn a picture of how the matter of red meat consumption and climate change is not treated holistically with all perspectives included. I have also shown how the organizational structure of the central administration has helped creating a power structure, where the agricultural sector has a dominant role. I have argued that it has affected the other sectors concerning red meat and climate. Hence, structure plays a role in how the central administration handles the intersectoral issue of red meat consumption and climate change.