Lessons Learned from the Public Perception and Engagement Strategy-experiences in CIUDEN's CCS Facilities in Spain

Abstract

Fundacion Ciudad de la Energia (CIUDEN) is a research and development institution created by the Spanish Administration in 2006. CIUDEN is leading Spain's Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) research, with experimental facilities covering the full chain of CO2, which place Spain at the international forefront of technology development. At the same time, substantial efforts are being undertaken so as to engage local communities and to gain general population trust.This paper describes the integral communication plan and public outreach strategy designed and implemented in the areas of influence of CIUDEN's large facilities on CCS. The actions described in this paper are mainly focused on two areas: the site of the Technology Centre for CO2 Capture and Transport, or es.CO2, located in Cubillos del Sil (NW Spain), and the CO2 Storage Technology Development Plant in Hontomin (Burgos, N Spain). Both sites are located onshore but different in terms of population, size, educational level and employment ratio.By implementing the action plan described in this paper, CIUDEN's efforts at public outreach have met with success, greater than in some other places, where large multinationals have received a relatively hostile reception. Main findings obtained and lessons learned so far are reviewed in this paper.