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The Swedish initiative and the 1972 Stockholm Conference: the decisive role of science diplomacy in the emergence of global environmental governance

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  • Eric Paglia

    (Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Abstract

This article applies a science diplomacy lens to examine Sweden’s 1967–1968 intervention in the United Nations—the so-called “Swedish initiative”—that led to the seminal 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. The three classic science diplomacy typologies—science in diplomacy, diplomacy for science and science for diplomacy—are employed to structure an analysis of how Swedish diplomats skillfully leveraged science for diplomatic objectives, first for convincing member states of the need to convene a major environmental conference under UN auspices and then to mobilize scientific research internationally—particularly in developing countries—during the Conference preparatory process. The empirical study, based on archival research and the oral histories of key participants, also brings to light how problems of the human environment were conceived of and shaped by Swedish scientists and diplomats during this embryonic moment of global environmental governance. Through analysis of some of the public pronouncements and key documents drafted during the first phase of the Swedish initiative, the article further considers the role of popular science as a style of science communication that is particularly relevant in the realm of environmental diplomacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Paglia, 2021. "The Swedish initiative and the 1972 Stockholm Conference: the decisive role of science diplomacy in the emergence of global environmental governance," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-020-00681-x
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-020-00681-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carolin Kaltofen & Michele Acuto, 2018. "Science Diplomacy: Introduction to a Boundary Problem," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 9(S3), pages 8-14, November.
    2. William R. Moomaw, 2018. "Scientist Diplomats or Diplomat Scientists: Who Makes Science Diplomacy Effective?," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 9(S3), pages 78-80, November.
    3. Engfeldt, Lars-Goran, 1973. "The United Nations and the Human Environment – Some Experiences," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(3), pages 393-412, July.
    4. Charlotte Rungius & Tim Flink, 2020. "Romancing science for global solutions: on narratives and interpretative schemas of science diplomacy," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Charlotte Rungius & Tim Flink, 2020. "Correction: Romancing science for global solutions: on narratives and interpretative schemas of science diplomacy," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(1), pages 1-2, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aluwani Tagwi, 2022. "The Impacts of Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide Emissions (CO 2 ) and Renewable Energy Consumption on Agricultural Economic Growth in South Africa: ARDL Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-25, December.

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