Discourse, discursive power, and Social License to Operate: The case of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in the United Kingdom

Ingram, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0712-4789, Brimble, Rhian and Mills, Jane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3835-3058 (2025) Discourse, discursive power, and Social License to Operate: The case of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in the United Kingdom. Energy Research and Social Science, 129. art: 104396. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2025.104396

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Abstract

BECCS, with the upscaling of domestic biomass feedstock, is envisaged to play an important role in meeting the UK's net zero commitments. However, BECCS is controversial which has implications for social acceptability. This paper aims to examine how discourse and discursive power of different groups engaged in the debates about BECCS can condition a Social License to Operate (SLO). It contributes to a growing body of critical social science studies of CSS and advances SLO scholarship by integrating the concept of discourse. A wide constituency of actor groups active in the debate about BECCS in the UK was identified. Text analysis of position statements of 27 organisations, semi-structured interviews and a workshop were used to undertake discourse analysis, assess discursive power, and explore the implications of these for a SLO, using framing of distributional and procedural fairness, confidence in governance, and trust. Analysis confirmed polarised discourses prevailing across organisations, but with many nuances, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of BECCS. Overcoming discourse polarisation and discursive power struggles emerges as a key need for achieving a SLO. The paper concludes with two ways to address this. First, the importance of deliberative discussions to accommodate polarised views bringing in different knowledges and values is clear. Secondly, adaptability from all groups is required, including a shared responsibility and agency for reviewing and responding to governance, political demands, evidence and societal interests. Both are in-line with the notion of SLO being intangible and non-permanent, and allow for normative complexity around achieving net zero.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	BECCS; Biomass crops; The UK; Social license to operate; Discourse analysis
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human geography. Human ecology. Anthropogeography S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S589.75 Agriculture and the environment
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User:	Nick Lewis
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2025 09:42
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2025 10:00
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15461

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