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Acid rain in Great Britain: environmental discourse and the hidden politics of institutional practice

In: Greening Environmental Policy

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  • Maarten A. Hajer

    (University of Munich)

Abstract

The attitude of the UK government in the ‘acid rain’ controversy has earned Britain the label of ‘the dirty man of Europe’. In the face of an international moral outcry, the UK has been notoriously stubborn in denying accusations that the sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions of its coal-fired power stations caused environmental damage abroad. Analysts trying to pinpoint the reasons for the UK’s failure to deal with the problem point to inherent conflicts of interest. Its unwillingness to act is interpreted as governmental delaying tactics, while the government’s reference to scientific uncertainty is described as using science as a ‘figleaf’ for policy. The inaction is explained in terms of the conscious exercise of power by key actors.1

Suggested Citation

  • Maarten A. Hajer, 1995. "Acid rain in Great Britain: environmental discourse and the hidden politics of institutional practice," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Frank Fischer & Michael Black (ed.), Greening Environmental Policy, chapter 9, pages 145-164, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-137-08357-9_9
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-137-08357-9_9
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