SYSTEM OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS

http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 62 editor@iaeme.com
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 9, Issue 12, December 2018, pp. 62–69, Article ID: IJCIET_09_12_009
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=12
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
SYSTEM OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF
CARBON DIOXIDE SEQUESTRATION
PROJECTS
Alexey Evgenievich Cherepovitsyn and Tatiana Alexandrovna Chvileva
Saint Petersburg Mining University, 2, 21st Line, St Petersburg 199106, Russia
ABSTRACT
Global warming and climate change problems have led to the consolidation of
international efforts to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide. The technology of carbon
capture and storage is the key link in the strategy aimed at cutting carbon dioxide
emissions. The article gives a view of positive and negative aspects of the introduction
of the carbon dioxide sequestration technology. The authors have determined the
impact of the project’s public perception on the efficiency of its execution. The authors
have revealed factors, which influence the way the public perceives carbon dioxide
sequestration projects; a model has been developed to form public perception of carbon
capture and storage projects and recommendations on how to form the positive attitude
of stakeholders to these projects.
Keywords: carbon dioxide emission, carbon dioxide sequestration, nature
conservation projects, public perception, interested parties.
Cite this Article: Alexey Evgenievich Cherepovitsyn and Tatiana Alexandrovna
Chvileva, System of Public Perception of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Projects,
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 9(12), 2018, pp. 62–69
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=12
1. INTRODUCTION
The problem of global warming, with greenhouse gas emissions being one of its causes, is
widely known and has been discussed in the world since the 1960s. Reducing and stabilizing
carbon dioxide emissions is a key target for the global community. There are many ways to
solve it, but nowadays most of them (the refusal from fossil fuels and a shift to alternative
energy sources) are neither technologically nor economically capable of meeting rising needs
for power generation, while others (for instance, nuclear power generation) are doubtful in
terms of long-term security [1, 2].
One of the most promising solutions aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions is the
introduction of technologies of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). The CCS technology
is a connecting link between today’s fossil fuel energy and a subsequent shift to renewable

energy sources. In addition to environmental benefits, this technology makes it possible to
produce an additional effect from pumping carbon dioxide into the ground, thus raising the
release of more oil and gas.
Not long ago the large-scale introduction of CCS projects was out of the question due to
insufficient studies, specific risks, capital intensity, the lack of legal framework and efficient
mechanisms of carbonic market operation. However, nowadays the global experience of
executing demonstration projects to sequester carbon dioxide has shown that they can be
economically efficient if certain conditions are created, and they are also conducive to the
resolution of environmental problems [3]. The above benefits notwithstanding, CCS projects
face great resistance from the society that knows little about the technology and is not confident
about its security. To overcome this difficulty, it is necessary to develop a system for public
perception of carbon dioxide sequestration projects, which will make it possible to improve the
efficiency of CCS projects by establishing close ties with interested parties.
2. METHODS
The hypothesis of the research is based on the assumption that the position of separate
interested parties and the public as a whole has a considerable impact on the efficiency of
carbon dioxide sequestration projects, thus making it necessary to form a system for public
perception.
Upon analysis of the experience related to the execution of CCS demonstration projects,
the research aimed to find key factors that restrain execution of carbon dioxide sequestration
projects and are conducive to these restraints, and to develop a system of public perception of
carbon dioxide sequestration projects while defining the role of project participants in the
formation of positive public attitude.
This system is especially significant in those countries that hold leadership in terms of
carbon dioxide emissions, such as Russia where CCS projects are hardly considered, even in
scientific literature.
The research information base included data from the Joint Research Centre (JRC),
analytical reports with information about positive and negative experience amassed when
executing demonstration carbon dioxide sequestration projects in Norway, the United States,
the Netherlands, Australia and other countries to analyze what the society currently thinks
about the CCS technology.
The following methods were applied during the research:
1. Desk research that included the collection, analysis and processing of information about
the global experience of carbon dioxide sequestration projects.
2. The comparative method and cause and effect analysis to find the most significant factors
to form public perception of projects.
3. The conceptual modeling method of interaction among stakeholders when executing
carbon dioxide sequestration projects.
3. LITERATURE REVIEW
The carbon dioxide sequestration technology, the possibility and feasibility of its application,
including from the economic viewpoint, and risks associated with similar projects are widely
discussed by the public around the world. The analysis of CCS-related works and research
showed that scientific interests in this field can be divided into three groups: works that bring
to light technological aspects of carbon dioxide sequestration, works which assess economic

System of Public Perception of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Projects
efficiency of CCS projects and, finally, works that provide analysis of what interested parties
think about carbon dioxide capture and disposal projects.
Specifically, the works [4-8] show possibilities for the industrial use of carbon dioxide
and methods of gas transportation and dumping technologies. In additional to technological
aspects, the works [9, 10] assess the economic potential of carbon dioxide sequestration
projects. A big number of works concerns the modeling of investment models for CCS projects.
In accordance with the International Energy Agency’s report (World Energy Investment
Outlook 2003) [11], the investment ceiling for CCS projects in OECD member states ranges
from USD 350 billion to USD 440 billion over the next 30 years. Similarly, Riahi et al. [12]
think that initial investment in demonstration projects can total roughly USD 70 billion or 0.2%
of the total amount to be spent on global energy programs over the next 20 years.
A considerable number of works is devoted to the analysis of public perception of carbon
dioxide sequestration projects that are executed in various countries, including the United
States, Norway, Canada and Australia [4, 10, 13, 14], many studies [15, 16] contain statistical
data of polling interested parties on what they think about these projects. We subscribe to the
opinion that the society is currently poorly informed about the carbon dioxide sequestration
technology, but society is greatly concerned about environmental problems.
Upon analysis of scientific literature, we found that there is no generally accepted approach
to the formation of public perception of both separate CCS projects and the carbon dioxide
sequestration technology as a whole. The elaboration of a system to form the society’s positive
perception of carbon dioxide sequestration projects and recommendations on how to introduce
the system will contribute to mitigating non-financial risks of these projects and will make
them open and transparent.
4. RESULTS
In 2016, global carbon dioxide emissions totaled 35,755,322,000 tons (Table 1). The highest
levels of emissions were recorded in China, the United States, India and Russia.
Table 1 Breakdown of carbon dioxide emissions by countries, CO2 kton [17]
Country 1990 2000 2005 2010 2014 2016
World Total 22,452,432 25,595,733 29,771,013 33,589,795 35,688,794 35,755,322
China 2,305,424.70 3,638,654.00 6,184,507.50 8,938,638.00 10,546,277.0010,432,751.35
USA 4,955,640.98 5,810,500.06 5,827,092.07 5,460,226.95 5,258,401.28 5,011,686.62
India 655,461.62 1,064,431.15 1,262,993.90 1,843,399.10 2,328,013.44 2,533,638.05
Russian
Federation
2,379,432.80 1,662,366.40 1,716,508.40 1,721,152.70 1,714,219.21 1,661,899.32
Japan 1,158,222.40 1,260,277.50 1,294,091.40 1,223,125.83 1,283,477.72 1,239,592.01
Germany 1,003,148.97 856,420.80 823,601.59 799,376.52 765,489.25 775,752.18
Canada 554,684.30 728,216.80 722,327.70 687,784.40 701,112.57 675,918.61
Iran 201,720.17 349,416.78 465,247.32 568,823.69 635,883.43 642,560.01
Some countries (Australia, the United States, Norway, Canada, etc.) have already amassed
some experience in executing demonstration carbon dioxide sequestration projects.
Meanwhile, many projects encountered restraints.
For instance, the Future Gen project (USA) was cancelled because of high costs. Canada’s
Boundary Dam was accompanied by technical failures as a reduction in the speed of capture

led to the penalties due to the failure to fulfill contractual obligations. The Barendrecht CCS
project (the Netherlands) was shut down due to considerable public opposition.
The practical experience of introducing the technology makes it possible to find factors that
promote the technology and prevent it from being introduced (Table 2).
Table 2 Factors that promote and hinder CCS introduction
Factors that promote the introduction of the
technology
Factors that hinder the introduction of the
technology
- along with renewable energy sources and energy
saving, CCS technologies contribute to reducing
carbon dioxide emissions;
- pumping carbon dioxide into underground
facilities can have an additional effect through the
higher release of crude oil and gas;
- experience of executing similar projects;
- a higher flow of investment into the region in
which a CCS project is under execution;
- more jobs;
- development of related industries.
- the CCS technology is relatively new and
therefore risks associated with its application are
not fully examined;
- the high capital intensity of the technology;
- the public treats the CCS technology negatively;
- the risk of causing health problems for people
who live near the area where a project is executed;
- a reduction in the cost of land and real estate near
the area where a project is executed;
- the development of CCS technologies prevents
renewable energy from developing;
- possible penetration of carbon dioxide from
underground storage facilities into groundwater;
- no legislative base to regulate the execution of
CCS projects.
The analysis of carbon dioxide sequestration projects, which are under execution or were
cancelled, showed strong public opposition to carbon dioxide sequestration projects. For
various reasons, local residents and non-government environmental institutions showed their
negative attitude towards such projects as Greenville (USA), Jamestown (USA), Weyburn-
Midale (Canada), etc.
The following factors produce the highest impact on the public opinion about CCS projects:
- the general level of education in the society and awareness of modern environmental
problems;
- the level of awareness about the carbon dioxide sequestration technology, advantages and
disadvantages of its application;
- the geographical location of a carbon dioxide sequestration project that is under execution;
- the transparency level of a project, the scope and frequency of information received by
stakeholders about a project;
- the list of a project’s participants;
- the positive or negative experience of executing similar projects within the area or projects
aimed at reproducing mineral resources in the past.
The CCS technology, as a rule, is discussed by the public most of all within specific projects
and in local communities. When local residents see the real possibility of CCS projects being
executed near their places of residence, they shift from the discussion of fundamental problems
related to the application of the technology to the analysis of potential local problems.
Reasons for the negative attitude of local residents to CCS projects are as follows:

- risks to the health and security due to unexpected carbon dioxide emissions;
- a potential decrease in real estate and land prices;
- the area’s general “industrialization” that impairs the tourism industry;
- an increase in pollutants owing to the operation of capture facilities (SOx, NOx, heavy
metals, etc.).
Despite a big number of risks associated with the execution of CCS projects for local
communities, advantages can include higher investment flows into the region, more jobs and
the development of related industries. Economic benefits play an important role in the
formation of positive public perception of CCS projects.
Numerous factors influencing public perception of carbon dioxide sequestration projects
make it necessary to collect in advance information about people who live in the area where a
project is planned for execution, to study socio-economic characteristics of the district and
population, what people think and know about nature conservation projects and the CCS
technology.
To form positive public perception of carbon dioxide sequestration projects it is necessary
to start cooperation with interested parties at the early stage of project execution and maintain
cooperation until the project is completed.
To improve the efficiency of communication it is reasonable to organize a special team
whose objectives will be as follows:
- to compile the list of a carbon dioxide sequestration project’s interested parties, to define
their interests and expectations;
- to conduct an initial poll among interested parties to find what they think about a potential
project and the CCS technology;
- to identify potential opposition groups among interested parties and reasons for their
opposition to a project;
- to compile a plan of communication with interested parties, including the scope and
frequency of information to be provided to interested parties about a project, to choose methods
of communication, to make a schedule of meetings, presentations, etc.
Figure 1 shows a conceptual system designed to form a public perception of carbon dioxide
sequestration projects.

Figure 1 Formation of public perception of carbon dioxide sequestration projects
Owing to weak public trust in private businesses, including the raw material sector, carbon
dioxide sequestration projects should be executed as transparently as possible and by engaging
many independent experts and environmental non-government organizations, including those
that operate worldwide (Table 3).

Table 3 Roles played by various interested parties in forming public perception of sequestration
projects
Interested party
Role played by an interested party to form public perception of sequestration
projects
State
To develop a legal framework for the execution of projects, to monitor
project execution
Local authorities
To control project execution, to communicate with local residents and
activists, to resolve conflicts of interest between a project’s developer and
local residents
Research institutes and
universities
To conduct research of the carbon dioxide sequestration technology, to study
how society takes such projects, to participate in the discussion of projects in
public, to deliver lectures to increase awareness of the CCS technology
External experts To assess projects, and to advise a project’s developer
Environmental
organizations
To monitor independently the course of project execution, to compile
relevant information materials for interested parties
Media
To cover the course of project execution, to disclose positions held by
various groups of a project’s interested parties that favor or disfavor the
project
5. CONCLUSIONS
Public perception of projects should be formed at the level of both separate regions in which
projects are expected for execution (by covering global and local environmental problems in
the regional media) and the state as a whole, and by covering climate change problems in the
federal media.
Owing to low public awareness of carbon dioxide sequestration projects, prior to the launch
of similar projects it is necessary to organize a large-scale information campaign to increase
public concern about environmental problems and to improve public knowledge about nature
conservation technologies, including carbon dioxide sequestration.
For the purpose of increasing confidence in carbon dioxide sequestration projects to be
executed and forming positive public perception, it is necessary to ensure that the state
participates in both providing funds for projects of this kind and executing them. This will
make it possible to form the society’s attitude to a project not only as to an economically
efficient initiative of a private company but also to an important government-supported nature
conservation project.
An important development stage for CCS projects is the development of relevant legal
framework, as well as an environmental protection policy as a whole, with areas of
responsibility defined for both the state and companies that apply the CCS technology, making
it possible to protect interests of interested parties, especially those of local residents,
indigenous population, and to ensure that they are safe.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The research was carried out with the financial support of the grant of the Russian Science
Foundation (Project No. 18-18-00210, “Development of assessment methodology of public
efficiency of projects devoted to carbon dioxide sequestration”).

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