Combining the advocacy coalition framework and argumentative discourse analysis: The case of the “energy efficiency first” principle in EU energy and climate policy

• Published in: Politics & policy (Statesboro, Ga.) Ga.), 2023-04, Vol.51 (2), p.222-241
• Main Author: Malmborg, Fredrik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACF; Advocacy; advocacy coalition framework; Análisis de discurso; Análisis de políticas; Beliefs; Case studies; Climate change; Climate policy; Coalitions; Communication; Discourse analysis; Discourses; Eficiencia energética; Eficiencia energética primero; Energy efficiency; energy efficiency first; Energy policy; Environmental policy; EU policy; European Union; Marco de coalición de defensa; Narratives; Policy analysis; policy process; Political power; Politics; Política climática; Política de la UE; Política energética; Proceso de políticas; Regulation; Unión Europea; 倡导联盟框架; 政策分析; 政策进程; 欧盟; 欧盟政策; 气候政策; 能效优先; 能源政策; 能源效率; 话语分析
• ISSN: 1555-5623; 1747-1346; 1747-1346
• DOI: 10.1111/polp.12525

This article combines, in a complementary way, the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) with argumentative discourse analysis to analyze the politics of the “energy efficiency first” (EE1) principle as a new legal institute in European Union energy and climate policy. Two different discourses and storylines were identified. The first is where the meaning of energy efficiency policy is to fulfill multiple benefits. It is associated with a strong regulation of EE1. The second is where the purpose of energy efficiency policy is primarily to contribute to mitigating climate change. It is associated with weak regulation of EE1. Four advocacy coalitions with different secondary beliefs regarding the EE1 principle were identified. Analyzing the inter‐discursive communication between different coalitions provides insights to the policy‐oriented learning taking place. It is concluded that studies using the ACF could merit from focusing more on narratives and communication between belief systems. Related Articles Kanol, Direnç. 2022. “Narrative Strategies for Emerging Disruptive Technologies: A Case Study of Blockchain for Europe.” Politics & Policy 50(5): 952–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12492. Nowlin, Matthew C., Maren Trochmann, and Thomas M. Rabovsky. 2022. “Advocacy Coalitions and Political Control.” Politics & Policy 50(2): 201–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12458. O'Donovan, Kristin T. 2018. “Does the Narrative Policy Framework Apply to Local Policy Issues?” Politics & Policy 46(4): 532–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12265. Combinando el Marco de la Coalición de Defensa y el Análisis del Discurso Argumentativo: El Caso del Principio de 'La Eficiencia Energética Primero' en la Política Energética y Climática de la UE Este artículo combina, de manera complementaria, el marco de coalición de defensa (ACF) con el análisis del discurso argumentativo para analizar la política del principio de “la eficiencia energética primero” (EE1) como un nuevo institución legal en la política energética y climática de la Unión Europea. Se identificaron dos discursos e historias diferentes. La primera es donde el significado de la política de eficiencia energética es cumplir múltiples beneficios. Se asocia a una fuerte regulación de EE1. El segundo es donde el propósito de la política de eficiencia energética es principalmente contribuir a mitigar el cambio climático. Se asocia con una regulación débil de EE1. Se identificaron cuatro coaliciones de defensa con diferentes cr