Chances for and Limitations of Acceptance for CCS in Germany

Abstract

This chapter presents two studies on the perception and acceptance of CCS in Germany: the first one is a qualitative case study analysis which examined four German projects which were initiated for CO2-storage. These include two commercial projects driven by industry (one in North Frisia, the other one in Eastern Brandenburg), a joint research and industry project in the Altmark focusing on Enhanced Gas Recovery (EGR) and a joint research project at Ketzin. Only one of the four projects, the Ketzin project, was successful in proceeding to CO2 injection and did not elicit local protest. The comparison of the four cases points to differences in project scale and scope, in the perceived risks and benefits and in the communication processes, all of which have possibly influenced project acceptance. The second study investigated and compared the public perception of CO2 offshore storage, CO2 onshore storage and CO2 transport via pipeline based on a national and two regional surveys. It shows that CCS is not unknown amongst the German public; however, the acceptance of CO2 storage is low independent of the place of storage. Perceived risks and benefits are identified as the main influence factors on attitudes towards CO2 storage and CO2 transport via pipeline.