Stakeholder perceptions of CO2 capture and storage in Europe : Results from a survey

• Published in: Energy policy 2007-10, Vol.35 (10), p.5091-5108
• Main Authors: SHACKLEY, Simon, WATERMAN, Holly, GODFROIJ, Per, REINER, David, ANDERSON, Jason, DRAXLBAUER, Kathy, FLACH, Todd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Combustion and energy production; Energy; Energy economics; Energy industry; Energy policy; Energy sector; Environmental economics; Environmental policy; Europe; Exact sciences and technology; Fossil fuels; General, economic and professional studies; Greenhouse effect; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Public opinion; Renewable energy sources; Stakeholder; Surveys; Technology; Underground storage; Waste disposal in the ground
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2007.05.001

During 2006, a survey was conducted of European energy stakeholders (industry, government, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), researchers and academicians and parliamentarians). A total of 512 responses was received from 28 countries as follows: industry (28%), research (34%), government (13%), NGOs (5%) and parliamentarians (4%). Three-quarters of the sample thought that widespread use of CO"2 capture and storage (CCS) was 'definitely' or 'probably necessary' to achieve deep reductions in CO'2 emissions between now and 2050 in their own country. Only one in eight considered that CCS was 'probably' or 'definitely not necessary'. For a range of 12 identified risks, 20-40% thought that they would be 'moderate' or 'very serious', whilst 60-80% thought that there would be no risks or that the risks would be 'minimal'. A particular risk identified by nearly half the sample is the additional use of fossil fuels due to the 'energy penalty' incurred by CCS. Further concerns are that development of CCS would detract from investment in renewable energy technologies. Half of the respondents thought that incentives for CCS should be set either at the same level as those for renewables or at a higher level. Environmental NGOs were consistently less enthusiastic about CCS than the energy industry. All rights reserved, Elsevier