It's not only about safety: Beliefs and attitudes of 811 local residents regarding a CCS project in Barendrecht

• Published in: International journal of greenhouse gas control 2012-07, Vol.9, p.41-51
• Main Authors: Terwel, Bart W., ter Mors, Emma, Daamen, Dancker D.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Carbon capture and storage (CCS); Local opposition; Public perception; Survey; Trust
• ISSN: 1750-5836; 1878-0148
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2012.02.017

► We surveyed a sample of 811 Barendrecht residents on a proposed local CCS project. ► Most residents were quite negative about the project and found it an important issue. ► Concerns about safety and property value contributed to the mostly negative attitudes. ► Socio-political factors (e.g., procedural unfairness, mistrust) contributed as well. ► The lack of local support has contributed to the decision to cancel the CCS project. This paper reports on a public opinion survey designed to examine how the local public thought about a proposed CCS demonstration project in Barendrecht, the Netherlands. The survey was administered to a large sample of the Barendrecht population (N=811) shortly before it was decided to cancel the project. The results indicate that most residents were rather negative about the CCS project and found it an important issue. Furthermore, most residents thought it was unsafe to transport and store CO2 in the region and thought it was very likely that the project would cause a fall in local property value. These beliefs only partially explained the mostly negative public attitudes. Socio-political factors also contributed significantly to negative attitudes among the local public: Most residents perceived the decision-making process as unfair and mistrusted those who would decide about whether or not to proceed with the project. They further felt that project developer Shell and the national government — parties that were trusted less than the Barendrecht town council and the local activist group “CO2isNee” — had too much influence in the decision-making process and that the people of Barendrecht had too little influence. Implications and challenges for future CCS projects are discussed.