Communication about decommissioning and waste management

Communication about decommissioning and waste management Resent cases Tanja Perko Nuclear Science and Technology Studies Institute for Environment, Health and Safety SCK CEN Academy JRC - Summer School; Ispra, 9. Sept. 2014

I work at Belgian nuclear research centre BR3, Belgian Reactor 3 HADES R&D Waste and disposal

I work at Belgian nuclear research centre BR3, Belgian Reactor 3 HADES R&D Waste and disposal Programme on Integration of Social Aspects into nuclear research What is risk? What risk is acceptable? What are the ethical implications of problem framing and problem solving? What is the normative basis for participation? How can participation be (successfully) put into practice? How and what do we communicate? What is the role of the scientist? How is science policy made?

I am a social and political scientist PhD: Risk communication and Perception in nuclear emergency Ex Journalist Practice Head of PR at Ministry of defense Researcher at SCK CEN and University of Antwerp FP7 Project coordinator, consultant, advisor Research Application

Learning objectives of this lecture To link stakeholder engagement with risk communication; To highlight the characteristics of communication in decommissioning and waste management; To get acquainted with media reporting; To build a communication according to state-of-the-art rules;

My messages Communication is important. Communication is your job!

The historical stages of risk communication "All we have to do is get the numbers right" "All we have to do is tell them the numbers" "All we have to do is explain what we mean by the numbers" "All we have to do is show them that they've accepted similar risks in the past" "All we have to do is show them that it's a good deal for them" "All we have to do is treat them nicely" "All we have to do is make them partners" Fischhoff B., 1995

Tell people clearly what you are doing; when you will do it; when decisions will be taken and the level of public involvement. If you don t know these things, let people know this too. (There is a risk that people think things are happening but are covered in secrecy or that they are being excluded.) Communication plan

Communication plan ties in with clarity over roles and responsibilities Before decommissioning: What do we mean by decommissioning? When does decommissioning happen? What is not decommissioning? What are principles for successful decommissioning? What are pre-conditions for successful decommissioning? Working with locals, NGOs Avoid: Infrequent, inconsistent, incorrect and poorly timed communication

What do we communicate? The nature of the decommissioning or waste management. Different options and solutions. Impacts/risks/benefits that a selected option might have on the community. Risks to human health and the environment Challenge

Knowledge about ionizing radiation in general population is rather low Exposure to radiation will always lead to radioactive contamination. Natural radioactivity is never dangerous because we are used and adapted to it. Vegetables grown near a nuclear power plant cannot be safely consumed because of radioactivity. Source: Turcanu C., Perko T.(2013) SCK CEN Academy

Challenge Researchers, industries, authorities views: Lack of mutual learning Knowledge Deficit Model The general public should be educated by explaining them the facts and by assisting people to better understand nuclear technology. Let s educate emotional and radio-phobic people. 12 SCK CEN Academy

Lack of mutual learning Knowledge Deficit Model Emotional Deficit Model Challenge Researchers, industries, authorities views: Citizens views: The general public should be educated by explaining them the facts and by assisting people to better understand nuclear technology. Let s educate emotional and radio-phobic people. We miss the recognition by industry, research and authorities of being a competent stakeholder. We miss empathy. 13 SCK CEN Academy

Communication Communication about decommissioning and waste management RISK COMMUNICATION LONG TERM COMMUNICATION = STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

Risk communication A short term communication: increases awareness of (protective) actions, Improves understanding of decommissioning or waste management, improves the population response in a case of emergency. A medium or a long term communication: facilitates the remediation process facilitates the decommissioning facilitates the nuclear waste management and supports the return to normal life Mass media

Decommissioning and waste management in media this summer (June August, 2014) China To Work With Italy s Sogin On Decommissioning And Waste Projects ; 12.06.2014 German government will not pay costs of burying dead reactors Nuclear decommissioning costs shooting up in Sweden ; 27 Jun, 2014 International Decommissioning Activities To Be Discussed At US Conference ; 01.08.2014 Russia Offers To Help With Chernobyl Decommissioning ; 19.07.2013 EBRD Suspends Funding For Ignalina Decommissioning ; 14.12.2012

It is not only a technical (scientific) process Influence of social and political factors on: decommissioning strategy, plans and costs. Has to be communicated Source: http://nuclear-news.net/ Source: Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants; Policies, Strategies and Costs, Nuclear Development N U C L E A R E N E R G Y A G E N C Y, OECD (2003) SCK CEN Academy

Example Event 1

Example Event 2 BR3 =Cultuurreactor 50 years after going in to operation

Many communication channels Personal communication: Open-door days Excursions Media: TV Radio Newspapers Web page New media: Facebook Twitter other social networking

Digital TV can be one of the communication channels

Many levels of communication Internal communication the first stage to a sound communication Know all partners involved in decommissioning and waste management. Share the information among partners. One message many voices. External communication a big challenge for the experts Many stakeholders. Integration in the environment (transport). Develop skills and tools to communicate. Media communication A bridge between you and a population Low newsworthiness (develop a relationship) Media training needed

How to build trust in D and waste management? Select people to communicate that are close (living in area, use same language ) Train experts to communicate Don t change the communicators during key processes they have to be recognized Listen to people s concerns Resolve people s concern (adopt process to people) Admit uncertainties, problems Develop responsible relationship, trust. Additional reading: Sjöberg L. Local acceptance of a high-level nuclear waste repository. Risk Analysis. 2004 Jun;24(3):737-49. Renn O. The role of stakeholder involvement in risk communication. Atw- International Journal for Nuclear Power. 2004 Oct;49(10):602-+.

What influences peoples trust? hhh Honesty, openness 15-20% Dedication, commitment 15-20% Empathy and caring 50 % Competence, expertise 15-20% Renn & Levine, 1991

In a stressful situation is a perfect message : Simple and understandable (avoid jargon and complex terms) Meet people s needs and concerns Brief, concise and clear 27 words, 9 seconds, 3 key messages SCK CEN Academy P. Covello,,1988

Example message: How do I detect radiation? You cannot sense radiation. Radiation can only be detected using specialized instruments. Experts are skilled in using these instruments.

Impact on the audience E. Jensen, 1996

A perfect message is: How much do people remember after presentation? Minutes 10-50% 60-25% Hours 48-10% Days 10 days - 5% Simple and understandable (avoid jargon and complex terms) Meet people s needs and concerns Brief, concise and clear A. Vermeire, 2010 27 words, 9 seconds, 3 key messages SCK CEN Academy P. Covello,,1988

What I would like you to take home from this presentation Successful risk communication = stakeholder engagement. Long term communication is complex due to low interest and limited knowledge of a public. In stressful situations make messages simple. 27/9/3 Enjoy your communication

FP 7- COORDINATION ACTION Become a stakeholder http://eagle.sckcen.be/en

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