This thesis used discourse analysis to critically study language in use in the Swedish forest policy debate. This was done by applying Maarten Hajer ́s argumentative discourse analysis and his concepts of discourse coalitions, storylines, and discourse institutionalization. The analysis concentrates on different actors’ input in the political debate after the launch of the EU Green Deal in 2019. The debate on Swedish forest policies have been going on for decades and are characterized by seemingly locked positions and actors defending their standpoints in different forums. Four competing discourses were identified: the bioeconomy discourse, the market competition discourse, the biodiversity discourse, and the rights of nature discourse. The dominating discourse is the bioeconomy discourse, which can be determined by its presence in Sweden’s national forest plan and further, in strategies determining the forest management. One puzzling finding is that the Swedish government together with the forest industry actively tries to hamper regulations and directives under the Green Deal, despite being positive about the bioeconomy pathway promoted by the EU. This suggests that even if Swedish policymaking processes are influenced by certain meta-discourses, bioeconomy is portrayed in different ways and cannot be generalized. Results from this study contributes with insights to the contemporary debate in a time when increased regulations demands policy reformations. Conclusions suggests that if Sweden’s National Forest Plan is to be in line with the EU Green Deal, large revisions are required. Critical policy studies that scrutinize the policymaking process could support the process by opening for other ways of imagining the future of Swedish forests.

This thesis investigates the intricate relationship between biodiversity and businesses within the regulatory realm. The study will specifically look into new compliances imposed by international organisations such as The Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity, the Biodiversity strategy for 2030 in the European Green Deal and the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. A meticulous literature review and thorough semi-constructed interviews were conducted and combined in the analysis. The research applies an Institutional theory framework and aims to seek the implications of institutional pressures. Furthermore, findings suggest collaboration and the use of external actors such as consultants are of importance in adaption. Challenges found highlight the need for standardised measurements, assistance to handle data and the lack of economic incentives. This study provides insightful findings in understanding how the current and upcoming biodiversity compliance affects businesses in Europe. Future research should focus on specific industry sectors, regions, and business sizes, investigate the dialogue between businesses and regulators, explore how businesses impact their external environment, and examine how they navigate new and unclear regulations.

Insufficient ESG information has been identified as a barrier in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy. This topic recently gained new interest, with the EU Commission implementing an action plan to finance sustainable growth. For the first time, the EU Commission has introduced a taxonomy that classifies whether or not an economic activity is sustainable - a potentially substantial addition to the field of ESG reporting. Financial market participants are initially targeted by the demands of disclosing taxonomy alignment of all affected activities. Due to the significant mandate that financiers hold as intermediates, their perspective on ESG disclosure is key to sorting out the complexity of non-financial transparency. The purpose of this thesis is to identify financiers’ current challenges within ESG reporting, and to indicate how the EU taxonomy will impact this context. A qualitative study was carried out with an aim to gather the perspectives of Swedish banks that provide portfolio management. 20 interviews with industry professionals were held, in order to illuminate internal obstacles and viewpoints in the banks’ operative businesses. The empirical data was thematically analyzed and discussed in regard to the Swedish finance industry as a whole. The findings present that the current challenges with ESG reporting firstly lie in a lack of comparability and clarity in the disclosure process. Secondly, there are difficulties with integration due to the tensions that underlie the financial purposes of most businesses. Despite the fact that shorter-term challenges are expected to remain with the taxonomy, mainly in the form of access to data and communication, the taxonomy is generally received as a long-awaited common language. The taxonomy contributes with standardization and structure to this setting and shows promise of integrational effects due to its activity-centered focus. Although the satisfaction of information needs will not entail change in itself, it is deemed necessary to obtain transparency in order for a subsequent environmental transition to take place. / Bristfällig ESG-information har identifierats som ett hinder i omställningen mot en klimatneutral ekonomi. Detta område har på sistone mötts av ett ökat intresse, i och med EU Kommissionens handlingsplan för att finansiera hållbar tillväxt. Mer specifikt introduceras för första gången en taxonomi, vilken klassificerar hur en ekonomisk aktivitet skall bedömas som hållbar - ett potentiellt signifikant tillägg till ESG-redovisning i stort. Initialt omfattas finansmarknadsaktörer av kraven att redovisa berörda aktiviteters överensstämmelse med taxonomins gränsvärden. I och med det betydande mandat som finansiärer innehar som intermediärer, är deras perspektiv på ESG redovisning mycket betydelsefullt i förståelsen av komplexiteten som kringligger icke-finansiell transparens. Syftet med denna studie är att identifiera finansiärers nuvarande utmaningar inom ESG redovisning, samt att indikera hur EU taxonomin kommer påverka dessa aktiviteter. En kvalitativ studie har genomförts med syftet att ansamla perspektiven av svenska banker som tillhandahåller portföljförvaltning. 20 intervjuer hölls med individer verksamma inom branschen, för att kunna identifiera interna hinder och synvinklar från bankernas operativa verksamhet. Den empiriska datan analyserades sedan tematiskt och diskuterades i förhållande till den svenska finansindustrin i stort. Resultaten visar att de nuvarande utmaningarna inom ESG-redovisning härleds dels till en brist på jämförbarhet och klarhet i redovisningsprocessen, och dels till svårigheter att integrera arbetet i och med intressekonflikter som underbygger de finansiella syftena av företag. Trots faktumet att vissa svårigheter på kortare sikt väntas kvarstå med införandet av taxonomin, framförallt inom datatillgång och kommunikation, så mottar branschen taxonomin som ett efterlängtat gemensamt språk. Taxonomin bidrar med standardisering och struktur till redovisningslandskapet, och dess aktivitetsfokus visar på lovande integrationsmässiga effekter. Tillfredsställandet av informationsbehov innebär visserligen inte någon förändring i sig, men upprättandet av förhöjd transparens ses som direkt nödvändigt för att möjliggöra en efterföljande transition mot mer hållbara industrier.

This thesis explores the sustainability challenges and opportunities within the data center sector, with a specific focus on Atea, a leading player in the digital infrastructure industry. As organizations increasingly depend on IT systems for operational efficiency, the environmental impact of data centers has come under scrutiny. With the increasing demands for sustainability driven by both market forces and stringent EU regulations, this study examines how organizations, particularly within the data center industry, can adapt to meet these emerging requirements. This study aims to contribute an understanding of strategies and measures that can be implemented to achieve more sustainable data center operations. Our research employed a qualitative methodology, incorporating both literature review and a case study to gather insights into sustainable practices in the data center industry. Atea’s role as a case study provided practical perspective on the implementation of sustainability strategies within the sector. The findings highlight significant challenges, including energy consumption, waste management, and regulatory compliance. Conversely, the study also identifies opportunities such as the adoption of green technologies, improved energy efficiency, and strategic waste reduction practices. The implications of this research are twofold: it offers a roadmap for data centers aiming to enhance their sustainability profile, and it contributes to the broader discourse on the environmental responsibilities of the IT-sector. Future research should investigate the real-world impact of new EU regulations in the data center sector, focusing on how national legislation aligns with EU requirements and their practical application by data centers.