Norway’s Role in Renewable Energy Development in Developing Countries Within the Framework of “Niche Diplomacy”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/mhpi2020.41.126-134Keywords:
Norway, niche diplomacy, investments, foreign policy, national identity, small country, renewable energy, international assistanceAbstract
One of the United Nations sustainable development goals for 2016-2030 is ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy sources. The trend towards increasing the use of renewable energy sources is common for both developed and developing countries. In the context of the concept of “niche diplomacy”, the article analyzes Norway's participation in the renewable energy development in developing countries. The article outlines different definitions of the concept of “niche diplomacy” which becomes important foreign policy instrument for countries seeking to realize their foreign policy ambitions on the international arena. One of such countries is Norway which nowadays takes the particular niche of “good power” emphasizing moral dimension of its foreign policy and demonstrating its willingness to take responsibility for the development of other countries. One of the element of this niche is Norway’s providing environmental and energy assistance to developing countries. Through the implementation of relevant policies, Norway receives both recognition by major powers and primus inter pares status among other states, which also seek international political recognition by focusing on “moral dimension” of their own foreign policy. Among the Scandinavian countries, Norway is the largest investor in the development of renewable energy in developing countries both through public and private companies meaning that there exists a strong Norwegian cluster of renewable energy promoters therein. The article analyzes activities and geographical structure of Norway’s institutions and major channels of aid which are main promoters of foreign assistance for the development of renewable energy in developing countries. The author argues that in contrast to other Nordic countries, Norway provides larger sums of support for renewable energy development in developing countries through a grant mechanism and active involvement of private companies. In recent years support for the renewable energy sector has become one of the elements of Norway’s positioning on the international arena as a “good power”. In turn, it contributes to increasing of its international weight and enhancing its foreign policy status.
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