Kacper Szulecki is a Research Professor at the Climate and Energy Research Group, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Professor II at the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM), University of Oslo
In this talk, Kacper will look at the impact of populism on climate action and decarbonization, both in their domestic and the international dimensions. Early research tried to anticipate what that impact may be; with time, we learned more about the actual influence of populist political forces – both in opposition and in government – on energy and climate policy. We are now witnessing a new wave of populism which makes decarbonization its primary enemy.
Polarization and domestic political rivalry are not a new phenomenon, and Western democracies have seen periods of similar tension and different political division lines. However, contemporary populism presents a fundamental challenge to climate action, heightening real distributional problems, stoking fears of an unjust energy transition, and sharply critiquing the shortcomings of current governance models and liberal democratic institutions. All this while spreading misinformation and fueling ‘culture war’ interpretations of today’s fundamental crises, and actively undermining the trust in science, law, or established authorities.
As of 2024 we are witnessing a ‘second wave of populism’ in Europe and the US – after a series of successful recaptures (USA, Slovakia, Czechia, finally Poland) we know that populism can be wrestled out of power with short-term solutions (and because of the experience of populists in government) but it is not going away. Amidst fears of illiberal populists returning ever stronger – as they already have in Slovakia and may soon in the US – there is a need to map the griefs and grievances that remain at its core.
Although populist parties that were in power in EU countries had a much less visible negative impact on ambitious climate action than was initially anticipated, the fight against climate change may be more difficult in future, not least since many low hanging fruits have already been harvested and future action is likely to affect households more directly and painfully.
The event will be followed by a small reception.