Solving the BECCS Puzzle - The Role of Knowledge Brokers in the Science-Policy Interface around BECCS in Sweden

Abstract: Negative emissions and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) are seen as important strategies in order to reach climate neutrality by 2045 in Sweden. However, it remains largely unclear to what extent scientific knowledge has contributed to the formulation of the climate neutrality policies. This thesis investigates in what way knowledge brokers act as intermediaries in the science- policy interface (SPI) around BECCS in Sweden. By applying a qualitative mixed-methods approach consisting of desk-based research, a survey, semi-structured interviews, and actor network mappings, three main results were found: 1) Knowledge brokering happens in close collaboration and with great interlinkages between actors, 2) Knowledge transfer goes somewhat directly from science to policy- makers, and 3) Certain factors hinder an evidence-based knowledge transfer. If knowledge brokers fulfil the characteristics of independent intermediaries, they have great potential to transfer knowledge for formulating urgently needed economic incentives and targeted policies for BECCS in Sweden.