Biochar in the UK Print News Media: Issue Frames and Their Implications for Opening up Debate About Land-based Greenhouse Gas Removal

Morris, Carol; Price, Catherine; Nerlich, Brigitte

Abstract

Biochar is a land-based greenhouse gas removal technology with potential to address the climate crisis. This article examines societal debate and discussion around biochar as represented in the UK print news media and reflects on its implications for the democratic governance of novel technologies. Using an “issue frame” analysis approach, the following frames are identified–Innovation, Economics, Security, Governance and Accountability, Risk, Justice, Substitution, Salvation and Tradition–with some more prominent than others. Economics and Innovation frames are particularly pronounced, together with the argument for market-based forms of governance, while Risk and Justice frames are weakly developed. The findings show that some frames and their associated actors dominate debate, while others are absent or side-lined. This might hinder opening up the debate to a wider group of stakeholders and publics and alternative framings, thus constraining effective governance of biochar.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 13, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 29, 2024
• Publication Date: May 29, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 17, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 30, 2025
• Journal: Environmental Communication
• Print ISSN: 1752-4032
• Electronic ISSN: 1752-4040
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2024.2357318
• Keywords: Biochar, land-based greenhouse gas removal, opening up debate, print news media, issue framing
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/34868388
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=renc20; Received: 2023-01-09; Accepted: 2024-05-13; Published: 2024-05-29