Community acceptance and social impacts of carbon capture, utilization and storage projects: A systematic meta-narrative literature review

Abstract

This manuscript presents a systematic meta-narrative review of peer-reviewed publications considering community acceptance and social impacts of site-specific Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) projects to inform the design and implementation of CCUS projects who seek to engage with communities during this process, as well as similar climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. A meta-narrative approach to systematic review was utilized to understand literature from a range of site specific CCUS studies. 53 peer-reviewed papers were assessed reporting empirical evidence from studies on community impacts and social acceptance of CCUS projects published between 2009 and 2021. Three separate areas of contestation were identified. The first contestation was on acceptance, including how acceptance was conceptualized, how the different CCUS projects engaged with communities, and the role of acceptance in social learning. The second contestation related to communities: how communities were represented, where the communities were located in relation to the CCUS projects, and how the communities were defined. The third contestation was around CCUS impacts and the factors influencing individuals’ perceptions of impacts, the role of uncertainty, and how impacts were challenged by local communities, politicians and scientists involved in the projects. The next step was to explore how these contestations were conceptualised, the aspects of commonality and difference, as well as the notable omissions. This facilitated a synthesis of the key dimensions of each contestation to inform our discussion regarding community awareness and acceptance of CCUS projects. This review concludes that each CCUS project is complex thus it is not advisable to provide best practice guidelines that will ensure particular outcomes. This systematic review shared recommendations in the literature as to how best to facilitate community engagement in relation to CCUS projects and similar place-based industrial innovation projects. These recommendations focus on the importance of providing transparency, acknowledging uncertainty and encouraging collaboration.

Enhancing the Quality of Living Environment - the Utilization of Carbon Dioxide as a Green Industry Innovation

“…Then, Wang et al (2023) stated that Low-carbon pilot policies are an important way to achieve the goal of "peak carbon neutrality" and are very important for international commitments to promote urban innovation and the development of advanced urban industrial structures. Nielsen, Stavrianakis & Morrison (2022) also add that it is important to pay attention to considerations of community acceptance and social impacts of sitespecific Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) projects to inform the design and implementation of CCUS projects that seek to engage with communities during this process, as well as similar climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives will thus encourage planned collaboration. Oncel (2023) adds that the global challenge to sustainability without limiting development and progress is a key factor for the future of the Anthropocene.…”

Perspectives from the 2022 Cohort of the American Chemical Society Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy

“…These CCU technologies are still under development and require further incorporation of green chemistry approaches (Table 1), innovation, and best practices for community engagement in the locations where pressurized CO 2 may be transported and/or injected into the ground for storage in order for CCU to be more sustainable. 18 Heterogeneous Thermal Catalysis. Heterogeneous thermal catalysis has enabled numerous advancements in the production of chemicals and energy.…”

“…Further work has focused on the synthesis of complex compounds from renewable sources by using an autocatalytic approach of O -formylation of alcohols, in which formic acid acts as a catalyst and reaction yields improve in every cycle of reuse of the solvent and the acid, addressing Green Chemistry Principle #2 related to improving atom economy (the catalyst is a byproduct of the reaction) and preventing waste when it is recycled (Principle #1). These CCU technologies are still under development and require further incorporation of green chemistry approaches (Table ), innovation, and best practices for community engagement in the locations where pressurized CO 2 may be transported and/or injected into the ground for storage in order for CCU to be more sustainable …”

Quantifying air quality co-benefits to industrial decarbonization: the local Air Emissions Tracking Atlas

“…Members of disadvantaged communities near industrial polluters frequently cite poor air quality as one of their top concerns (4), above many other economic, social, and environmental issues. In addition, communities may be hesitant to support certain decarbonization technologies, as these technologies can be seen as a means for industrial emitters to continue operating (5) or have other associated risks (6). This suggests that community buy-in to decarbonization projects might be improved through clear and transparent quantitative information about air quality co-benefits.…”