Not in my backyard: CCS storage sites and public perception of CCS

摘要

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that counteracts climate change by capturing atmospheric emissions of CO2 from human activities, storing them in geological formations underground. However, CCS also involves major risks and side effects, and faces strong public opposition. Recently, the whereabouts of 408 potential CCS storage sites in Germany have been released. Using detailed survey data on the public perception of CCS, I quantify how living close to a potential storage site affects the acceptance of CCS. I also analyse the influence of other regional characteristics on the acceptance of CCS. I find that respondents who live close to a potential CCS storage place have significantly lower acceptance rates than those who do not. Living in a tourism or mining region also markedly decreases acceptance.