Risk from CO2 storage in saline aquifers: A comparison of lay and expert perceptions of risk

Public perceptions of CCS are seen as crucial in terms of the deployment. Recent opposition to CO₂ storage projects, such as Vattenfall's Schwarze Pump project in northern Germany, demonstrates that addressing public concerns is a crucial factor in securing support for a CO₂ scheme. Risk communication will be affected by multiple issues such as the language used, trust in the communicating actors and the opportunities for dialogue. The literature on siting of facilities also cautions that in many cases there in a mismatch between experts and lay perceptions of risk. This paper compares expert and lay perceptions of the risks associated with CCS in two case study areas and is based on the work undertaken in the CASSEM project, which is developing tools for the evaluation of CO₂ storage potential in saline aquifer. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.