What Makes Risk Communication Efficient? The Stakeholder View

Abstract

Environmental risk communication comprises an essential step in contaminated sites management, being one of its basic principles. However, there are few studies and technical guidelines on how to perform risk communication. This research aimed to identify the main factors that can contribute to efficient risk communication from the stakeholders’ perspective: those affected or potentially affected by the risks, representatives of institutions responsible for risk communication, environmental agencies, and consultants. To achieve that, the Q technique, a methodology specialized in the study of people and their subjectivities, was applied to 24 individuals. Five factors representing the stakeholders’ perspectives were identified: 1 - Trust; 2 - Secure communication; 3 - Dialogue; 4 - Partnership; and 5 - Health, in addition to a set of consensual information between all groups. Concern for the health of those involved was the most important point of view for most participants.