Assessing public perceptions of CCS: Benefits, challenges and methods

In recent years debates about public involvement in the decision making process regarding science and technology have been the focus of much debate. This paper uses the deployment of carbon capture and storage technology as a case study to explore both the theoretical and practical reasons why the public need to be consulted on such issues. It concludes that a social contract approach is far more effective than the traditional technocratic approaches as it ensues the lay public are fully informed and understands the rational behind the decisions. Furthermore, if deliberative approaches are employed it provides people with the opportunity to enter in to debate with experts, decide whether they are trustworthy and take ownership of the decisions. As this paper demonstrates when the issues are highly complex and controversial, as they are with CCS, such approaches offer an effective way of communicating information and can significantly reduce opposition aiding implementation.