The Utility of Security Framing for Advancing Climate Policy

: An Examination of the US

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess security as a framework for discussing climate change, by looking at the highly securitised climate debate in the US during the Obama Administration. During this period several carbon emissions reduction policies were passed despite domestic opposition from Congress. This study examines the positive and negative effects of the security framework on
the climate debate, and demonstrates how securitisation works in practice using Obama’s security justification for his climate policies as a case study. This study concludes that despite the problems with the security framework, it can be utilised to advance climate policy, and securitisation is therefore a worthwhile endeavour.

Date of Award	6 Mar 2018
Original language	English
Sponsors	SOAS University of London
Supervisor	Julie Doyle (Supervisor) & Raphael Schlembach (Supervisor)