Discourses of climate change in the Czech Presidential election 2023

Bc. Viktorie Malá

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The aim of this work is to understand the likely direction the position the Czech president will take on climate change in the coming presidential term. The research question is: How the presidential candidates approach climate change and topics closely related to it? The statements about climate change and those topics were gathered from the three main candidates - Petr Pavel, Andrej Babiš and Danuše Nerudová. Time frame for data collection was set from the beginning of October 2022 till the end of January 2023. Statements were collected from broadcast interviews, newspaper articles and the candidates' official Facebook accounts (social media). Additional effort was to classify candidates based on the typology of climate delay discourses and analyse their approach to Green Deal. Each statement was with relevant details written down and later assigned into categories and subcategories. Nerudová and Pavel put the greatest emphasis on the issue of drought in Czech countryside and inability of soil to retain water. Based on the climate delay discourses typology, Babiš came out as a typical ‘Free rider’, which is characterized by arguing against pro climate actions and redirecting responsibility to others. Nerudová sees transition to a green economy as an opportunity for innovations and growth of the whole society. Pavel suggests concrete steps like planting greenery on the roofs of warehouses and implementation of photovoltaic systems on public buildings and apartment blocks. This work reflects not only the approaches of each candidate, but also the Czech society and its position on climate change. The work shows the possible direction of the Czech Republic regards to climate change while reflecting on its present and past.

Keywords

climate change, green deal, presidential election, climate discourse

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 3. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 15. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: prof. Julia Mildorfova Leventon
• Reader: Lenka Suchá, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme:
Applied Ecology