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Professor Andrew Sherry FREng Chief Scientist National Nuclear Laboratory
Public Engagement with Nuclear Energy
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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?
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Why public engagement on nuclear energy?
IEEJ: March 2015. All Rights Reserved. Provides the political mandate IEEJ: March 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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International Energy Outlook 2011
Energy from all sources will increase Q
uadr
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n Bt
u
Renewables
Nuclear
Natural gas
Coal
Liquids
Renewables Triple
Nuclear Double
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Underpins economic growth IEEJ: March 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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Data from NIA Capability Report, 2012
Around 30,000 jobs are required to deliver 16 GWe new nuclear power
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Underpins future skills development IEEJ: March 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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Data from Cogent
Over 50% of the UK nuclear workforce will retire between 2020 and 2025
: 44,000 people
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Data from NIA Capability Report, 2012
The nuclear sector will peak at just under 70,000 due to new nuclear build
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What is the public perception of nuclear
energy?
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Prof. Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff University), presentation dated November 2013
Past Images (circa 1950s) (source J. O’Brian (2012) Atomic Postcards. Intellect Press.)
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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
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UK Public Opinion
Fukushima
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…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
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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.
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Public attitudes to nuclear energy are complex and change with time and events. The role of independent academic experts has been important
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How can public engagement be effective?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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What are the next steps?
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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
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www.gov.uk/government/groups/nuclear-industry-council
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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
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One last point…
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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
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Source Nuclear Energy Agency (2010) Public Attitudes to Nuclear Power. NEA6859 OECD.
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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
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Spare slides
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UK Public Opinion
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UK Public Opinion
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UK Public Opinion
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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]