Public narratives of the relationship between post-pandemic economic recovery and decarbonization: A case study of Toronto’s media sphere

Recent research indicates that the economic downturn brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has bolstered a “climate delay” discourse. This has led environmental scholars and policymakers to express concern over how the relationship between economic recovery and decarbonization is being framed in current public discussions about post-pandemic economic recovery. To better understand how the climate delay discourse is mediated by local media and its potential impact on public support for green transformation, this article examines relevant coverage published by popular Toronto local media throughout 2020. A qualitative thematic analysis reveals a rising public demand for decarbonizing the Canadian economy. However, this demand has also been challenged by a counter storyline that seeks to divert public attention from the severe structural crisis underlying the fossil fuel sector. The study concludes by cautioning against “climate delay” narratives’ potential suppression of public support for green economic recovery.