Socio-technical imaginaries of the energy transition in Iceland, potential consequences for future conservation efforts

Abstract: In 2021, the Icelandic government stated that Iceland will implement an energy transition plan with the goal of becoming a 100% carbon neutral and fossil free nation by 2040, furthermore, that a doubling in renewable energy production was needed to reach that goal. This led to an upsurge of a discourse among stakeholders and concerned citizens about the future of Iceland. This thesis is an attempt to identify storylines reflecting specific socio-technical imaginaries by following an argumentative discourse analysis approach through a political ecology lens. Data was collected through policy documents, news statements and interviews. A key storyline was identified as “win the race” imaginary, where current electives of power wished to make an example of Iceland as the most sustainable and green country of the world. This imaginary is beneficial to the energy companies and unfavorable to the landscape of Iceland and those who try to speak for it.