A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF BRITISH AND PAKISTANI NEWSPAPERS’ REPORTAGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE UNDER UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTIONS (2024)

Abstract

This study critically analyzes the linguistic and socio-cognitive construction of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2024 in Pakistani and British newspaper discourse. Using a qualitative Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the study examines selected articles from Dawn, The News International, The Guardian, and The Daily Telegraph through Teun A. van Dijk’s Socio-Cognitive Model. The analysis focuses on macro-structures, superstructures, micro-structures, situation models, context models, and social cognition to examine how linguistic choices shape representations of climate issues. Drawing on previous research on environmental discourse and national media contexts. The findings reveal clear differences between Pakistani and British media. Pakistani newspapers predominantly frame the UNFCCC 2024 through climate justice, vulnerability, financial inequality, historical responsibility, and equitable financing, whereas British newspapers emphasize political leadership, diplomacy, institutional negotiations, and global governance. Despite these differences, both media contexts represent the conference as a significant global event requiring international cooperation. The study concludes that newspaper discourse not only reports climate negotiations but also shapes cognitive and ideological understandings of responsibility, vulnerability, power, and international collaboration.