Climate Change and Climate Risk Perception among Actors in the Norwegian Renewable Energy Sector

Abstract

This master’s thesis aims to analyse the perception of actors in the Norwegian renewable energy sector about climate risk and the consequences of climate change on the renewable energy sector. Climate risks have highly influenced the current and past energy systems showing a high concern in the discourse on climate change and energy transition (Aall et al., 2022). Many works of literature have been cited as studies of climate change and risk perception focused on general or specific risks with farming, mining, environment (Carlton & Jacobson, 2013a; Eitzinger et al., 2018). But studies exploring climate change and climate risk associated with energy systems are rare, a situation which is also the case in Norway. Therefore, this research is about climate risk perception, aiming at the level of concern, time factor for the seriousness of the issue, weightage on societal factors, and climate factors as determinants of the consequences of climate change on the renewable energy sector.

To address this research agenda, a quantitative method is employed with a matrix 7-point Likert scale survey question on various dimensions. Data is collected through an online survey and analysed using the SPSS program.

The research findings show that Norwegian actors in the renewable energy sector have high concerns about climate risk and believe they are already experiencing the consequences of climate change in the energy sector. Awareness of climate risks among the respondents in the energy sector is observed to be two-dimensional, in the sense that climate risk is a sum effect of climate change (i.e., climate hazards) and societal change (i.e., climate vulnerability). The study also shows that there are no significant differences among actors in the production and distribution sub-sectors of the renewable energy sector regarding the perception of climate risk.

Overall, this research aims to enhance knowledge about the ongoing conversion to renewable energy and the need for climate change adaptation by examining the perceptions of climate risks among representatives of Norwegian actors in the renewable industry sector. Thus, this thesis will hopefully contribute to better and more informed decision-making and policy formulation within sustainable energy development.