The Renewable Energy Transition and “the People” – Exploring the Intersections of Right-wing Populism and the Renewable Energy Transition in Portuguese Media Discourses

Abstract

ABSTRACT Local contestation to the deployment of large-scale renewable energy infrastructures has been increasing. Right-wing populism has also been on the rise across the world. This article aims to explore the potential relations between these two socio-political issues, by analyzing Portuguese media discourses on the renewable energy transition and if and how those expose associations with right-wing populist rhetoric. 465 articles published by Portuguese newspapers were analyzed through Thematic Analysis, which revealed three main themes: Portugal at the forefront of the green transition; the dark side of the transition; and, less pervasively, energy justice as crucial for a green transition. These themes and how they are discursively organized resonate with far-right wing populist rhetoric, such as nationalist, anti-elitist and anti-establishment views. This might find echo in rural communities affected by the green energy transition feelings of marginalization. Key policy highlights Portuguese media communication on the green transition and its injustices, uses similar devices and tropes to right-wing populist rhetoric, which might incentivize support to right-wing populist parties; The media have a key role in communicating about the green energy transition and related justice issues in a politicized and multivocal way; Policy-makers need to promote a more just transition and contest the commodification of renewable energy and the discourse of renewable energy infrastructures as inherently sustainable.