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

Abstract

CO2 utilisation technologies-also called carbon dioxide utilisation (CDU) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU)-convert CO2 via physical, chemical, or biological processes into carbon-based products. CO2 utilisation technologies are viewed as a means of helping to address climate change and broadening the raw material base for commodities that can be sold to generate economic revenue. However, while technical research and development into the feasibility of CO2 utilisation options are accelerating rapidly; at present, there has been limited research into the social acceptance of the technology and CO2-derived products. This review article outlines and explores three key dimensions of social acceptance (i.e., socio-political, market, and community acceptance) pertaining to innovation within CO2 utilisation. The article highlights the importance of considering issues of social acceptance as an aspect of the research, development, demonstration, and deployment process for CO2 utilisation and explores how key stakeholders operating on each dimension might affect the innovation pathways, investment, and siting decisions relating to CO2 utilisation facilities and CO2-derived products. Beyond providing a state-of-the-art review of current research into the social acceptance of CO2 utilisation, this article also outlines an agenda for future research in the field.

Framing effects on public support for carbon capture and storage

“…Consistent with this, framing CCS as dealing with 'waste' seems to be more persuasive in encouraging support than framing it in terms of climate or economic benefits (Jones et al, 2017a). The current study develops this finding to provide, for the first time, insights into representative public perceptions of carbon dioxide utilisation (CDU)-a technical process of recycling CO 2 to make new products (e.g., cement and plastics)-on support for the technology (Jones et al, 2017b). We explore the dynamic between CCS as a sufficient climate change mitigation strategy vs. the additional need for behaviour change, and the possible added value of CDU.…”

Overcoming Barriers to Successfully Commercializing Carbon Dioxide Utilization

“…Even though only the minority of the new CO2 utilization ventures reported barriers in the society category, social acceptance has been recognized as a necessity for a successful commercialization of SOI such as CO2 utilization (Jones et al, 2017). Dedicated marketing strategies enable these ventures to counteract the misperception of CO2 utilization, especially in the EEA (cf.…”

Process design and techno‐economic analysis of ethyl levulinate production from carbon dioxide and 1,4‐butanediol as an alternative biofuel and fuel additive

“…Recently, several CO 2 ‐derived products are commercially available in the market, and more are expected to emerge in the near future . Different pathways of CCU have been proposed and evaluated .…”

“…7,[14][15][16] Recently, several CO 2 -derived products are commercially available in the market, and more are expected to emerge in the near future. 17 Different pathways of CCU have been proposed and evaluated. 15,18,19 Direct utilization of CO 2 includes supercritical extraction, enhanced oil recovery, carbonated drink, fire extinguisher powder, and packaging gas.…”