Public Engagement with Nuclear Energy

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Public Engagement with Nuclear Energy"

Bethanie Thornton
5 years ago
Views:

1 Public Engagement with Nuclear Energy Professor Andrew Sherry FREng Chief Scientist National Nuclear Laboratory

2 Outline 1. Why public engagement on nuclear energy? 2. What is the public perception of nuclear energy? 3. How can public engagement be effective? 4. What are the next steps?

3 Why public engagement on nuclear energy?

5 Energy from all sources will increase Liquids Quadrillion Btu Coal Natural gas Renewables Renewables Triple Nuclear Double Nuclear International Energy Outlook 2011

7 Around 30,000 jobs are required to deliver 16 GWe new nuclear power Data from NIA Capability Report, 2012

9 : 44,000 people Over 50% of the UK nuclear workforce will retire between 2020 and 2025 Data from Cogent

11 What is the public perception of nuclear energy?

12 Past Images (circa 1950s) (source J. O Brian (2012) Atomic Postcards. Intellect Press.) Prof. Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff University), presentation dated November 2013

13 Changing Attitudes to Nuclear Power The 1980s saw very high levels of opposition to nuclear power. The associations with: Atomic weapons, Radioactive waste, Contamination, Cancer, and Accidents (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima) led to unique worries about nuclear power. Prof. Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff University), presentation dated November 2013

15 UK Public Opinion Fukushima

16 an independent press office helping to ensure that the public have access to the best scientific evidence and expertise through the news media when science hits the headlines Fiona Fox

18 Nuclear Experts Group Sir, We welcome the news that HM Government and EDF have clarified key elements of a deal that will ultimately see new civil nuclear build in Britain for the first time in 20 years. We recognise the important role that nuclear energy needs to play in our country's low carbon economy alongside other low carbon electricity generation including renewables and carbon capture and storage. The Hinkley C deal will not only help create thousands of new jobs in construction, manufacture and project management, but will bolster the confidence of UK and international investors to play a greater role in supporting the considerable capital investment needed to bring our energy infrastructure into the 21st Century. We recognise that investment in Hinkley C will come from a mix of UK and international investors, including substantial support from France and China, which is testimony to the positive environment for investment in UK nuclear energy. This generates socio-economic opportunities created by greater international engagement by nuclear businesses, R&D collaboration and skills development, where the UK industrial and academic sectors can play a leading role.

19 Public attitudes to nuclear energy are complex and change with time and events. The role of independent academic experts has been important

20 How can public engagement be effective?

22 The Concerned (20%) Women Age: Less affluent The Indifferent (16%) Men & Women Age: 65+ Less affluent Late Adopter (23%) Women Age: Distrustful Engager (10%) Men Age: 55+ Affluent Disengaged Sceptics (17%) Women Age: less affluent Confident Engagers (10%) Men & Women Age: Affluent Ipsos MORI (2014) Public Attitudes to Science

23 Characteristic 1: Clarity Build an appreciation for basic scientific principles De-mystify nuclear as part of a low carbon energy mix Understand and address misconceptions using very basic science

24 Characteristic 2: Trust Recognise the need to build trust in public engagement The public are bombarded with facts about nuclear energy Data are used and mis-used to send a message So who do the public trust? US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

25 European Commission (2010) Europeans, Science and Technology: Special Eurobarometer 340 Characteristic 2: Trust Scientists working in university, government laboratories Best qualified to explain the impact of science and technological developments on society? Politicians Industry Military Religions

26 Characteristic 3: Dialogue Recognise that communication is a two-way engagement Create opportunities for a two-way dialogue Ensure listening is part of the process

Characteristic 4: Consultation Recognise the value of public consultation in nuclear business Build stakeholder groups that: Enhance communications between the

27 Characteristic 4: Consultation Recognise the value of public consultation in nuclear business Build stakeholder groups that: Enhance communications between the industry and local stakeholders Give an opportunity for questioning industry and regulators. Allow stakeholders the opportunity to comment on and influence strategies and plans

28 What are the next steps?

31 Communication Charter Principle 1: Leadership Commitment Companies working in the UK civil nuclear sector recognise the importance of public engagement. Principal 2: Best Practice Our engagement with the public will be characterised clarity, trust, dialogue, consultation. Principal 3: Effective Communications We recognise that our people are ambassadors for the sector and that independent experts as well as industry leaders have an important role to play in public communications. Principal 4: Making a Difference We recognise the importance of public attitudes to nuclear energy and regularly assess progress in fostering engagement with society

35 Summary 1. Public engagement on nuclear energy underpins: The political mandate to deliver low carbon energy The economic growth from nuclear energy The new skills needed for the future 2. Public attitudes to nuclear energy are complex and change with time and events. Public engagement must be dynamic and responsive. 3. Public engagement on nuclear energy benefit from four principles: Clarity Dialogue Trust Consultation 4. Next Steps: Communications Steering Group Nuclear Narrative Charter on public engagement Integrated Research

37 Countries are different G Gaskill, S Stares and N Kronberger, The public s view of Science in Successful Science Communication, Eds D J Bennett and R C Jennings, Cambridge University Press, 2011

38 Source Nuclear Energy Agency (2010) Public Attitudes to Nuclear Power. NEA6859 OECD.

39 Summary 1. Public engagement on nuclear energy underpins: The political mandate to deliver low carbon energy The economic growth from nuclear energy The new skills needed for the future 2. Public attitudes to nuclear energy are complex and change with time and events. Public engagement must be dynamic and responsive. 3. Public engagement on nuclear energy benefit from four principles: Clarity Dialogue Trust Consultation 4. Next Steps: Communications Steering Group Nuclear Narrative Charter on public engagement Integrated Research 5. Countries are different

44 Principle 1: Leadership Commitment Companies working in the UK civil nuclear sector recognise the importance of public engagement. We take society's attitude to nuclear energy seriously and place high priority on public engagement across our organisation. We embed public engagement in our organisations strategic and operational plans. We provide the leadership and resource needed to encourage and enable our people to engage with society.

45 Principle 2: Best Practice Our engagement with the public will be characterised by: Clarity: We ensure that public engagement is characterised by clear, consistent and concise information written or spoken in plain language. Trust: We seek to build public trust by showing respect and being open and transparent about the challenges we face and the actions we are taking to address them. Dialogue: We value two-way communication and will listen to the public voice. Consultation: We listen to communities and actively consult with them, particularly when our activities impact on daily life.

46 Principal 3: Effective Communications We recognise that our people are ambassadors for the sector and that independent experts as well as industry leaders have an important role to play in public communications: We promote public engagement within our organisations and it is reflected in staff policies. We support our people to engage with the public by providing appropriate training, resource and opportunities. We act individually and collectively to build understanding and awareness of the positive impact of our sector on society.

47 Principle 4: Making a Difference We recognise the importance of public attitudes to nuclear energy and regularly assess progress in fostering engagement with society: We evaluate public opinion surveys relevant to our business and seek to better understand society s attitude to civil nuclear energy. We review and continually improve our public engagement programmes, building on successes and learning how we can be more effective. We work together to collaborate in public engagement and share good practice Contact: report@tky.ieej.or.jp

the royal society of new zealand: gateway to science and technology strategic priorities

the royal society of new zealand: gateway to science and technology strategic priorities www.royalsociety.org.nz gateway to science and technology in new zealand the royal society of new zealand has operated