Local Acceptance and Communication as Crucial Elements for Realizing CCS in the Nordic Region

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to assess the Nordic situation with regard to carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment at the local level. This was done by identifying important factors found in the literature on community acceptance and communication and relating this to possible CCS deployment in the Skagerrak region. The analysis was complemented with findings from interviews made with municipalities in the three countries (Denmark, Sweden and Norway). The results show that the possibilities to store CO2 offshore may be a clear advantage for the Nordic region and that Porsgrunn municipality in Norway display very positive attitudes towards existing and potential CCS activities, which stands in contrast to the many public acceptance challenges experienced in Europe. Moreover, the municipalities display very different awareness about CCS, which is seen in relation to CCS experiences and national policies.