Justice in the Machine Room : Procedural and Distributive Justice in Data Centre Governance in Norway and Sweden

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the role of procedural and distributive fairness in the planning and regulation of data centres in Norway and Sweden. The study analyses who participates in planning processes, whose voices are included or excluded, and how the benefits and burdens of data centre development are distributed locally. It does this by comparing two cases in Norway (Sulitjelma and Narvik) and two in Sweden (Luleå and Gävle). The investigation draws on Schlosberg’s multi-dimensional environmental justice framework, Arnstein’s ladder of citizen participation, and Fraser’s concept of scale mismatches. It identifies systematic procedural problems in the four cases. The distributional effects show a concentration of burdens on local inhabitants. At the same time, economic benefits largely accrue to international technology companies. Comparing operational instances and planned cases shows that procedural commitments made during planning do not lead to equitable outcomes in practice. The findings indicate a need for planning frameworks suited to the growth of hyperscale data centres, especially when indigenous Sámi rights are involved.