Formen, Jessica (2023) Mind the Gap. Master thesis.
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Final Master Thesis_Jessica Formen_Mind the Gap.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
In the race to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreements, the Netherlands finds itself short of the finishing line. To reach its reduction target of 49-55% GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, a gap of 5-16% arises to reach its reduction target. To study this gap, the research question was: How do the risk perceptions of residents in the municipalities Midden-Groningen and municipality Het Hogeland slow down the implementation process of climate policies in Groningen province? A novel approach, combining the cultural theory of risk and value-belief-norm theory, created a multi-dimensional framework for a more nuanced understanding of the intricate connections between values, risk perceptions, and climate policy implementation. Firstly, the case studies’ provincial and municipal energy documents were compared to identify the severity of the implementation gap through a document analysis, and secondly, the top parties in the Dutch provincial 2019 election were also compared through a voter behaviour analysis to identify parties’ value orientation as a representation of Midden-Groningen’s and Het Hogeland’s values. The findings from the first comparison show a climate policy implementation gap in Groningen province, particularly in the municipality of Midden-Groningen and, to some extent, in Het Hogeland. Results indicate that due to contextual characteristics and residents’ overall low sense of urgency and willingness to act against climate change, Midden-Groningen faces more complications in moving the energy transition forward. In the second comparison, the study determined the degree of altruistic, biospheric, and egoistic value orientation from the value-belief-norm theory and also identified the dominant risk perceptions from the cultural theory of risk in these municipalities. The results show that Midden-Groningen residents have lower biospheric and altruistic values but higher egoistic values than Het Hogeland. These result in risk perceptions that see the natural environment as tolerant and resistant to invasive human actions. Recommendations have been provided on how planning practitioners within both municipalities can overcome these challenges. These boil down to two orders of suggestion, which are (1) for Midden-Groningen to become more proactive as the initiator in the energy transition and (2) for the transfer of policy and knowledge between Het Hogeland and Midden-Groningen. The study concludes that bridging the climate policy implementation gap between municipalities and province requires concerted efforts to understand and address the intricate interplay of values, risk perceptions, and context-specific challenges on the local level.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Spijkerboer, R.C. and Verweij, S. |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Aug 2023 09:57 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Aug 2023 09:57 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4345 |
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