Public concepts of CCS: Understanding of the Dutch general public and its reflection in the media (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2012
In this study, 995 respondents in a representative sample of the Dutch general population are set in the situation of policymakers: they are faced with the issue of fulfilling the Dutch demand for energy in 2030 in such a way that emissions of carbon dioxide will be reduced by 50%. In the Information-Choice Questionnaire (ICQ) that was developed for this, respondents evaluated information from experts on seven options for CO 2 emission reduction and their consequences. Two CCS options were compared to two energy efficiency options, a wind energy option, a biomass energy option, and a nuclear energy option. Results show that people are not that enthusiastic regarding the two CCS options. These are evaluated 5.3 and 5.9 on average on a scale of 1-10 and not often chosen as one of the three preferred options, but they are also rarely rejected. Most of the other options in the questionnaire were evaluated rather positively, except nuclear energy and the more ambitious efficiency option. Analysis shows that the evaluation of the information regarding consequences moderately influences how options are evaluated overall. The results further indicate that the CCS options are evaluated less positively due to the comparison with other options.
Energy Procedia, 2013
Lack of societal acceptance of energy (transition) technologies is often attributed to a lack of knowledge among the public. The underlying assumption is that more knowledge improves attitudes about a technology. This assumption will be tested in this paper by examining the influence of the scores on a CCS Knowledge Test on attitudes towards CO 2 capture and storage (CCS). Furthermore the paper will examine the influen towards CCS and will analyse how knowledge and perceptions jointly influence attitude as well as in interaction. Implications of the results for communication about CCS are discussed.
Lay perceptions of carbon capture and storage technology
International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2010
The extent of social acceptance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is likely to significantly influence the sustainable development of CO 2 storage projects. Acceptance of CCS by the key stakeholders (policy makers, the general public, the media and the local community), linked to specific projects, as well as how the technology is communicated about and perceived by the public, have become matters of interest for the social sciences. This article reports on an investigation of the public perception of CCS technology in Spain. Individuals' views on CCS are analysed through focus groups with lay citizens using ''stimulus materials''. As the analysis shows, lay views of CCS differ significantly from the views of decision-makers and experts. Public concerns and reactions to CCS technology and potential projects, as well as the degree of consensus on its acceptance or rejection are detailed. Implications for the future use of CCS are discussed. ß
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies 7, 2005
Carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) represents a potential effective tool in managing carbon emissions. Its effectiveness ultimately hinges upon its acceptability by the public. Little is known about how willing the general public will accept various options of CCS. This study's purpose is twofold. It first seeks to assess general perceptions of various forms of CCS. It then seeks to identify various factors that influence public acceptance of CCS. The study was done with a survey conducted in the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Sapporo in December 2003. Two versions of a survey questionnaire were administered to adults residing in this city through multi-stage sampling. One version provided limited education about CCS; the other version, a full education version, provided more extensive information about CCS. A total of 1,006 respondents participated in the study, equating to a total response rate of 63.9%. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, comparisons of means and rank order distributions, and through a multiple regression model. The findings of the study suggest that the general public generally supports CCS as a part of larger national climate policy. However, they are negatively disposed about implementation of specific CCS options involving deep-sea dilution option of ocean storage, lake type option of ocean storage, onshore option of geological storage, and offshore option of geological storage. Education about CCS affects public acceptance. In specific, the more information respondents obtained about CCS, the more likely they are to support those storage options except for onshore option of geological storage. Four important factors influencing public opinion involve environmental impacts and risks caused by injection of CO 2 (including possibility of leakage), effectiveness of CCS based on realizing the CCS as one of useful mitigation options of the climate change, societal responsibility for the environment, and relation of CCS with maintenance on fossil fuel use. Each affects public acceptability for CCS in general as well as support for implementation of four specific technology types of CCS.
Fixed Amidst Change: 20 Years of Media Coverage on Carbon Capture and Storage in Germany
Sustainability
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are controversially discussed worldwide. Germany is no exception. Here, CO2 storage is banned, although successful pilot plants were installed in the late 2000s. However, the recent burgeoning political interest in this technology prompts us to investigate why and how the (public) image of CCS technologies has changed over time and with regard to different CCS applications. For this purpose, we examine the coverage of CCS in German newspapers over the last 20 years on the basis of a quantitative analysis of about 4000 newspaper articles. A sample of 571 articles with different political orientations was studied qualitatively to analyse reporting on different CCS frames and actors. We find evidence that the media debate is shifting towards the application of CCS for negative emissions technologies and carbon removal. However, the negative image of CCS connected to coal fired power plants persists, suggesting that public and political supp...