Author: Anna Beckett
The mission to “make Britain a clean energy superpower with zero-carbon electricity by 2030” while resolving economic inequality has a strong electoral mandate and most people now agree it’s the right thing to do. But this support will be fragile. For 20 years, the Sciencewise programme has been using public dialogue to learn about how to deliver large-scale net zero infrastructure programmes while maintaining public support.
We know that most of the population generally agree that something must be done about climate change, but this abstract support is very different to supporting the idea of changes on their own doorstep – the concept of NIMBYism is not new but is still very real. Boosting energy independence and reforming our energy system will require significant changes to infrastructure, many of which may face resistance at a local level. With an ambitious timeline it will be particularly important to anticipate and address concerns proactively.
Drawing on the previous learning from Sciencewise dialogues, we have identified three important elements which will smooth the way for what needs to be done:
1. Building foundations for successful net zero development
Our previous dialogues, on topics including Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage, Advanced Nuclear Technologies, Biomass and BECCS and other related topics, identify public expectations for deploying new net zero infrastructure. These can be summarised as five foundations for public support:
- Ensure the technology is safe and reassure people that this is being monitored independently, with decommissioning plans from the start.
- Ensure clear benefits for local communities which could come in the form of sustained employment (reskilling where necessary) or investment in other local amenities.
- Educate the local population and meaningfully engage from early on in an inclusive, transparent and balanced way. Be open about the risks and benefits, don’t overwhelm people. Ensure they’re not surprised and feel listened to.
- Minimise disruption, which can come in many forms (traffic and noise, visual impact, property prices) and consider repurposing existing sites if relevant, close to industry not residential areas where possible.
- Limit damage to wildlife and the natural environment (on land and at sea).
It will be important to ensure all these conditions are met and communicated to local residents in order to build the foundations for public support.
2. Using these foundations to build trust and understanding
A common theme across the different Sciencewise dialogues is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the technological solutions that can help the UK reach net zero, and a strong preference for renewables which are perceived to be tried and tested and safe. In general, participants are therefore keen for local communities to have access to reliable information about any potential infrastructure coming to their area: often when people are poorly informed they assume the worst. More information can therefore be reassuring, as long as the information confirms the five foundations are in place.
People think the following information needs to be conveyed to local communities:
- Safety of the proposed installations (day to day and what happens if there’s an accident).
- Costs and funding (demonstrating the proposed solution is value for money, and myth-busting concerns about profit motives driving decision making).
- The role of the proposed technology in reaching net zero (including why renewables are insufficient).
- Local environmental impacts and how they’re being minimised.
- Economic benefits to the local area and national economy.
Other considerations, such as who wins the delivery contracts, might also impact on public acceptability – ethical, UK-based companies committed to reskilling the local community are likely to be more acceptable.
During dialogues, participants also encourage decision makers to think about engaging other local stakeholders that could be impacted, specifically local businesses, schools and colleges, farmers and industry. Similarly, they see educating local children as integral, as they in turn can educate their parents. By reaching out to all stakeholders, it will ensure that all the potential risks are addressed, and benefits are realised.
3. A trusted messenger will help the cause
Getting the messenger right is as important as the message. Dialogue participants can be very distrustful of messages that are overly positive and do not appear to be balanced. They are particularly suspicious of private companies or others who they perceive to have vested interests. In some cases this can also include politicians, both local and national.
Messengers who they are more likely to trust are those who aren’t perceived to have anything to gain from the decision. These include:
- Well-known people associated with science and the environment e.g. David Attenborough.
- Independent experts from established charities.
- Experts including academics with experience or knowledge of implementing the technology in other countries, or other relevant empirical experience.
- Local communities who have actual experience of similar projects.
In several dialogues participants expressed appetite for apolitical community representatives to be involved in the decision making, although they often did not have much time to develop this idea further. Given the complexity of the information, they felt it was too difficult for them to make an informed decision but typically thought they would have more confidence if local voices were involved.
Winning hearts and minds
Ultimately, people are conscious that not all their views are completely rational. They recognise the potential dissonance between wanting to achieve net zero but without local change. This is at least in part because people can feel strong emotional connections to their local area and fear the impact that change could have. This is why it’s vital to have trusted people involved in the decision making so that they have confidence in the final agreement.
These learnings are drawn from more detailed public dialogue reports on Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage, Advanced Nuclear Technologies, Biomass and BECCS, Geological Disposal, Offshore Renewables and a broader dialogue which looked at scenarios for achieving a Net Zero Society and Climate Adaption.
