The Relation between Cultural Structures and Risk Perception: How does Social Acceptance of Carbon Capture and Storage Emerge?

Abstract

In this research, the highly controversial Carbon Capture and Storage technology is scrutinized from the cultural structures perspective. We argue that it is crucial to have a richer understanding of where public opinion on the technology comes from, and we develop a model that helps to understanding this. We use survey data provided by the Eurobarometer. Also, six cross-cultural dimensions developed by Hofstede are used. Lastly, two indices, Risk Acceptance and Self-Benefit, are used to design a regression model to argue that public acceptance and risk perception of the novel technology is not a simple case of information transfer and knowledge dissemination. We provide a framework for analysts and policy makers who wish to understand why and how societies and social actors challenge and contest the technology.

Public perception of carbon capture and storage: A state-of-the-art overview

“…It should be noted that the age, contrary to expectations, is not a factor determining the CCS perception [50, 73]; although, in some earlier studies, the perception of innovative energy technologies was associated with the age of respondents [78]. This can be explained by a popular opinion that a human conservatism increases with age.…”

“…Social sciences helped considerably to widen our understanding of the CCS projects risks. This is associated with different points of view on such risks existing among scientists, technical experts and community, especially people that live in the regions where projects are planned [71], including the impact of social, cultural and demographic factors [72, 73].…”

“…According to [47], in terms of the CCS public perception, an important role is played by personal perception, expectations, and values of people, rather than care of the national economy. In other words, during interaction with the public, we should, first of all, take into account their mentality [74, 75] and cultural specific [73], and draw parallels between their personal needs and CCS global impact on climate change, see [76]. This enables us to draw a conclusion confirmed in [77] that interaction with the public should be carried out after a detailed study of their internal organization, specific motivating factors, expectations, and goals.…”

“…[69]20140GeneralSocial acceptance, balance between tax and pollutionsModelingto determine, from the social point of view, simultaneously the amount of production as well as the optimal allocation of CO2 emissions between the atmosphere and underground storage sites.Kaiser M. [107]20141006GeneralPublic engagement, public perceptionInterviews, media analysis, focus groupto analyze the local public perception of CCS among citizens and stakeholders;to inform community representatives and the local public about CCS technology and to involve them in the planning process for the prospective CCS project.Karayannis V. [92]2014N/AGeneralPublic perception, economic aspectsQualitativeto discuss recent socio-economic aspects of CCS technologies.Karimi F. [3]201719Cross-countryCCS policyInterviewsto define temporal features (i.e. frame, timing, tempo, and duration) for policy making and deployment of large-scale CCS projects.Karimi F. [68]201813901Cross-countryPublic perception, cross-cultural differencesBased on Eurobarometerto explain the importance and role of cross-cultural differences and the reaction of people in different countries towards the technology vis-à-vis the other factors and demonstrate how those differences operate.Karimi F. [72]201519GeneralExperts' risk perceptionInterviews, Case studyto contribute to the risk governance of CCS by investigating the concerns of experts about CCS and the role of socio-cultural factors in their risk perception.Karimi F. [81]201613901Cross-countryInfluence of socio-cultural factors on risks and benefits perceptionBased on Eurobarometerto explore how do cultural structures of a society affect benefit and risk perception of CCS and what extent is the reaction of the public to implementation of the technology predictable in a crosscultural comparative framework.Karimi F. [73]201413901Cross-countryRelation between cultural factors and risks perceptionBased on Eurobarometerto explore how do cultural structures of a society affect risk perception of CCS and what extent is the reaction of the public to implementation of the technology predictable.Klass A.B. [124]20080GeneralLiabilityQualitativeto create a potential framework to address liability and fun...…”

“…[82]++++Howell R. [24]++++++Itaoka K. [66]++Itaoka K. [91]++Johnsson F. [104]+++Jouvet P.-A. [69]+Kaiser M. [107]++++Karimi F. [68]++++++Karimi F. [72]++++++Karimi F. [73]++++Karimi F. [81]+++Klass A.B. [124]++Krause R.M.…”