Objectives and Expected Results

The central objective of the project is to compare the different types of CCS communication methods, messengers and materials with respect to their effectiveness. To achieve this objective two methods will be used in all the countries involved in the project:

  1. Survey of a representative sample of citizens with the aim to collect data on public awareness and knowledge of climate change, energy policy and CCS in general and furthermore on public awareness and knowledge about local demo initiatives and existing CCS information material and campaigns.
  2. Comparison of the effectiveness of two CCS communication methods: 1) focus groups, and 2) Information-Choice Questionnaire, ICQ). Strict matching should guarantee the identical composition of the two groups. The main is to investigate how opinion quality (e.g. stability) will vary depending on the communication method.

The project will provide recommendations for the communication of CCS to the general and local public based on empirical data about public awareness and perceptions of climate change, energy policy, CCS and CCS communication in six European countries that are not available at present taking into account the evaluation of different CCS communication methods concerning their suitability for enabling lay persons to reach well-informed and well-considered opinions on the technologies. The collaboration will also increase the transfer of knowledge with regard to CCS acceptance and the results could facilitate the deployment of CCS in Europe.