Title: Public perception of ultimate disposal facilities for radioactive waste and carbon dioxide: results from a cross-national comparison

Authors: D. Schumann; J.-F. Hake; W. Fischer; V. Havlová; H. Vojtěchová

Addresses: Institute of Energy and Climate Research Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation (IEK-STE), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany ' Institute of Energy and Climate Research Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation (IEK-STE), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany ' Institute of Energy and Climate Research Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation (IEK-STE), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany ' Waste Disposal Department, Nuclear Research Institute Rez plc., Husinec-Rez 130, 250 68 Rez, Czech Republic ' Waste Disposal Department, Nuclear Research Institute Rez plc., Husinec-Rez 130, 250 68 Rez, Czech Republic

Abstract: The public perception of ultimate disposal facilities for Radioactive Waste (RW) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) is crucial for the selection, construction and operation of such sites. This paper presents a cross-national comparison of the public perceptions of ultimate disposal facilities for RW and CO₂ in the Czech Republic, Germany and Lithuania. The results of the comparison revealed similarities and differences in public perceptions in the three countries, as well as similarities and differences in the public perception of the two issues of RW and CO₂ disposal. Key lessons learnt from the comparisons are that (a) public knowledge about RW and CO₂ disposal is still low, (b) misconceptions about RW and CO₂ disposal are widespread, (c) risk perceptions of CO₂ disposal sites among the public might be influenced by risk perceptions of RW disposal sites and (d) the social context of public perceptions should be taken into account.

Keywords: public perception; ultimate disposal facilities; radioactive waste; carbon dioxide; CO2; carbon capture and storage; CCS; carbon storage; nuclear waste; cross-national comparison; Czech Republic; Germany; Lithuania; waste disposal; public knowledge; public misconceptions; risk perceptions; social context.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2014.065533

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2014 Vol.37 No.1/2/3/4, pp.106 - 145

Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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