Investigating public perceptions of carbon dioxide utilisation (CDU) technology: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Carbon dioxide utilisation (CDU) technologies hold promise for helping to limit atmospheric releases of CO2 while generating saleable products. However, while there is growing investment in the research and development required to bring CDU to the market, to date there has been very little systematic research into public perceptions of the technology. The current research reports upon the findings of a series of six qualitative focus groups (and an associated questionnaire) held with members of the UK public in order to discuss the perceived benefits and risks of CDU technology. The findings reveal that public awareness of CDU is currently very low and that there is a desire to learn more about the technology. While our participants did, on average, appear to develop an overall positive attitude towards CDU, this attitude was tentative and was associated with a number of caveats. The implications for the findings in terms of the development of communication and broader strategies of public engagements are outlined.

The Social Acceptance of Carbon Dioxide Utilisation: A Review and Research Agenda

“…The results of these studies generally confirm that awareness of CO2 utilisation is currently very low and while there is some scepticism about the long-term environmental benefits of the technology, there is tentative overall support for the concept as a "bridging technology" in the fight against climate change (Jones et al, 2015. This support is, however, strongly caveated by people's self-professed lack of knowledge of the technology, questions over the techno-economic feasibility of the processes and uncertainty over the societal consequences of investment in the technology.…”

“…Thus, developing a firm understanding of the factors and actors likely to shape the "social acceptance" of CO2 utilisation should be a priority for research. Interestingly, however, to date there has been very little systematic research in this area (Jones et al, 2015). This is a situation that contrasts markedly with the rich literature that now exists relating to the key factors and actors likely to govern the "social acceptance" of CCS technologies (see, e.g., L'Orange Seigo et al, 2014).…”

Two Blind Mice: It Is Time for Greater Collaboration between Engineers and Social Scientists around the RDD & D of Industrial Technologies

“…Indeed, while the funding for the CO2Chem network was secured before the inclusion of the 'public perception' cluster-and thus, while it was the case that the country mice were invited to the feast fairly late in the day-we were not recruited in a tokenistic manner and we now have a regular place at the table and our dialect is increasingly recognised and influential in shaping the future of CDU technical research and development. In fact, the collaborations formed around this table have, for our more rural author alone, already yielded several innovative publications [20][21][22]-including this one-involvement at a recent Faraday Discussion on CDU (September, 2015) [22,23] and a keynote speech at an International Conference on CDU (September, 2016); as well as invitations to present to audiences at related initiatives (e.g., 4CU project [24], SCOT project [25]) and a place on the board of directors of the new UK Centre for CDU (CDUUK) [26].…”

“…Launched in 2013 and hosted by the University of Sheffield, CDUUK provides a cohesive, virtual centre for interdisciplinary research into Carbon Dioxide Utilisation; actioned in part through funded initiatives like 4CU and CO2Chem. The centre currently unites researchers in seven academic departments across engineering (e.g., chemical and biological engineering), the sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, psychology) and the social sciences (e.g., management) with the focus of pursuing research into all areas of CDU; from the development of carbon capture agents, life-cycle analysis of product options and public perception among others (e.g., [21,22,27,28]). Beyond the internal opportunities afforded to the University of Sheffield, CDUUK also provides an international knowledge-exchange and networking forum for external academics, industry, research funders and policy makers; with the ultimate aim of creating a critical mass of world class CDU research.…”

Public awareness and acceptance of carbon capture and utilisation in the UK

“…However, little is known about public awareness and understanding of CCU (Jones et al, 2014;Jones et al 2015). In an effort to fill this knowledge gap, this paper presents the results of a survey which aimed at establishing the extent of people's awareness and acceptance of carbon capture and utilisation in the UK.…”