AURORA Partners Present Groundbreaking Research on Public Acceptance of CCUS at UKCCSRC Conference

Sheffield, UK – AURORA project partners from the University of Cambridge made a significant contribution to the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) Knowledge Exchange Conference in Sheffield, presenting pioneering research on public acceptance of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies and green industrial clusters.

Understanding Public Acceptance of CCUS

David Reiner and Peipei Chen delivered research that addresses a critical aspect of CCUS deployment: public acceptance. As the UK accelerates efforts to meet ambitious climate targets, understanding how communities perceive and engage with carbon capture technologies has become essential for successful implementation.

Their research reveals that public acceptance is far more complex than simple support or opposition, shaped by multiple interconnected factors including awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of risks and benefits.

Key Research Findings

Acceptance is not preference: One of the most significant insights is that while surveys show broad public support for CCUS as a climate solution in principle, this does not automatically translate into support for specific implementations. Public attitudes vary considerably based on technology type, industry application, and geographic siting.
Communication and Framing Matter: The research emphasizes that support for industrial clusters as economic development initiatives does not automatically mean support for decarbonizing those clusters through CCUS. This distinction highlights the need for clear, transparent communication that addresses specific concerns about CCUS technologies separately from general industrial development.
Visual Impact and Local Engagement: The research found that visual and aesthetic impact of CCUS infrastructure significantly influences community attitudes. Successful deployment requires early and continuous consultation, inclusive dialogue, thoughtful design, and transparent information about project benefits and risks.

Research Methodology

The Cambridge team employed multiple approaches including large-scale surveys, focus groups, citizen dialogues, and visual perception studies to build comprehensive understanding of public attitudes across different UK regions and demographics.

Implications for UK CCUS Deployment

As the UK works toward capturing 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050, these insights become increasingly critical. The findings emphasize the need for:

Differentiated engagement strategies tailored to specific technologies, industries, and locations
Long-term commitment to building and maintaining social license
Just transition frameworks that consider community impacts and benefits
Evidence-based communication addressing actual public concerns

Building Legitimacy for Climate Action

The presentation underscores a fundamental principle: technological readiness alone is insufficient for successful CCUS deployment. Building legitimacy through genuine public engagement, transparent communication, and responsive project development is essential for CCUS to play its intended role in the UK’s decarbonization strategy.

As the research demonstrates, public acceptance should not be viewed merely as a barrier to overcome but as an opportunity to develop better, more socially responsive approaches to climate action. Communities have valuable insights about local contexts, priorities, and concerns that can strengthen project design and implementation.

AURORA’s Integrated Approach

This research exemplifies AURORA’s commitment to addressing both technical and social dimensions of CCUS deployment. While much of AURORA’s work focuses on advancing CESAR1 solvent technology, understanding public acceptance is equally vital for successful real-world implementation. By supporting research into stakeholder engagement and communication strategies, AURORA ensures that technological innovations are developed alongside the social license needed for deployment.

The insights presented at UKCCSRC will inform AURORA’s ongoing work and contribute to broader discussions about CCUS deployment across Europe, ensuring that innovation serves not only environmental goals but also the communities it aims to benefit.

About the AURORA Project

The AURORA project is a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionising the cement industry’s approach to sustainability. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative methodologies, the project strives to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with cement production. SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organisations, leads the project, bringing together a consortium of experts and stakeholders from across the industry.

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