Public Engagement with Nuclear Energyeneken.ieej.or.jp/data/6000.pdf · 1. Public engagement on...

IEEJ: March 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Professor Andrew Sherry FREng Chief Scientist National Nuclear Laboratory

Public Engagement with Nuclear Energy



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?


Why public engagement on nuclear energy?


International Energy Outlook 2011

Energy from all sources will increase Q

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n Bt

u

Renewables

Nuclear

Natural gas

Coal

Liquids

Renewables Triple

Nuclear Double



Data from NIA Capability Report, 2012

Around 30,000 jobs are required to deliver 16 GWe new nuclear power


Data from Cogent

Over 50% of the UK nuclear workforce will retire between 2020 and 2025

: 44,000 people


Data from NIA Capability Report, 2012

The nuclear sector will peak at just under 70,000 due to new nuclear build


What is the public perception of nuclear

energy?


Prof. Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff University), presentation dated November 2013

Past Images (circa 1950s) (source J. O’Brian (2012) Atomic Postcards. Intellect Press.)


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


UK Public Opinion

Fukushima


…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


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.


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


How can public engagement be effective?


The Concerned (20%) Women | Age: 16-34 | Less affluent

Disengaged Sceptics (17%) Women | Age: 33-54 | less affluent

The Indifferent (16%) Men & Women | Age: 65+ | Less affluent

Late Adopter (23%) Women | Age: 16-34 |

Distrustful Engager (10%) Men | Age: 55+ | Affluent

Confident Engagers (10%) Men & Women | Age: 33-54 | Affluent

Ipsos MORI (2014) Public Attitudes to Science


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


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


Characteristic 2: Trust

Best qualified to explain the impact of science and technological developments on society ?

European Commission (2010) Europeans, Science and Technology: Special Eurobarometer 340

Scientists working in university, government laboratories

Politicians Industry Military

Religions


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 industry and local stakeholders

• Give an opportunity for questioning industry and regulators.

• Allow stakeholders the opportunity to comment on and influence strategies and plans


What are the next steps?


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


www.gov.uk/government/groups/nuclear-industry-council


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


One last point…


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

Countries are different


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


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


Spare slides


UK Public Opinion


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.


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.


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.


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: [email protected]

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