A world-leading periphery? Exploring representations of Northern Sweden in light of the green transition initiatives

Sammanfattning: As part of the EU’s initiative to become the world’s first climate neutral region, Northern Sweden is represented as a centrepiece to the green transition development. Its innovative industries are framed as a key component for a sustainable future – not only for Sweden, but also for Europe as a whole. Yet, previous research describes Norrland as an inner periphery of Sweden that has been subject to colonisation and marginalisation. This thesis thus sets out to explore this paradox by examining the discursive representations of Norrland in light of the green transition narratives. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study utilises critical discourse analysis to systematically examine representations from news media and governance. The results highlight two main themes of how Northern Sweden is reproduced: as the future and as a struggle. By implementing a Lefebvrian understanding of the production of space, the results suggest that the future-oriented representations dominate the current understanding of Norrland, which risk dismissing local experiences and issues. This research contributes with an updated understanding of the processes of peripheralisation under the guise of a green discourse, suggesting that the development in Norrland is part of construing a broader narrative of Sweden as a world-leading green country.