Stakeholders' perceptions of Helium and Carbon Dioxide risks in a subsurface engineering project in France. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nadarajah, Kévin; Bordel, Stéphanie; David, Jean-Charles; Jammes, Laurent; Rayssac, Gilles-Laurent; Somat, Alain
• Is Part Of: Energy reports. Volume 8(2022)
• Page Start: 14009
• Page End: 14019
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Stakeholders -- Social science -- Risk -- Perceptions -- Helium -- Carbon Dioxide; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.04205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2022.10.123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4847

Abstract

Abstract: Projects with a high socio-environmental impact involving the subsoil are often the subject of strong controversy between stakeholders, sometimes affecting their implementation. Thus, increasing attention is being paid to understanding the public perception of the risks associated with these projects. The objective of this research was to understand how social and psychological anchors influence the way stakeholders perceive the risks associated with a helium (He) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) valorization project in central France. A survey was conducted among 306 people living in two geographical areas, one affected by the project and the other not affected. Verbal association tasks were used to investigate perceptions of He and CO2 and the data were then subjected to two correspondence analyses. Results: The results show that He's perceptions are not yet totally structured by psychosocial anchors but are nevertheless structured by the territory variable. For CO2, the participants' discourse is organized around the notion of risk and refers to the impact of CO2 emissions on the environment. Moreover, perceptions are influenced by psycho-social anchors, which clearly structure the perception of CO2 . On the other hand, for this object that is well known to the general public, the territory no longer seems to play a role in structuring perceptions. Conclusion: This research highlights the importance of studying the psychosocial anchors involved in the appropriation of objects related to projects, in order to develop and adapt suitable communications according to the characteristics of the stakeholders and the territory in which they are evolving. Highlights: Perceptions of helium are structured by participants' geographic affiliation while those of carbon dioxide are not. Perceptions of carbon dioxide are shaped by participants' social anchors, while those of helium are less so. The notion of risk is strongly mobilized when talking about carbon dioxide, whereas it is not for helium. Transversal methodologies from the theory of social representations can contribute to stakeholder analysis in a project.