The Neglected Role of Risk Mitigation Perception in the Risk Governance of Underground Technologies—The Example of Induced Seismicity

Lisa Haemmerli; Michael Stauffacher

doi:10.1007/s13753-020-00298-3

Volume 11 Issue 5

Dec. 2020

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Lisa Haemmerli, Michael Stauffacher. The Neglected Role of Risk Mitigation Perception in the Risk Governance of Underground Technologies—The Example of Induced Seismicity[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2020, 11(5): 630-639. doi: 10.1007/s13753-020-00298-3

Citation:

Lisa Haemmerli, Michael Stauffacher. The Neglected Role of Risk Mitigation Perception in the Risk Governance of Underground Technologies—The Example of Induced Seismicity[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2020, 11(5): 630-639. doi: 10.1007/s13753-020-00298-3

Citation:

Lisa Haemmerli, Michael Stauffacher. The Neglected Role of Risk Mitigation Perception in the Risk Governance of Underground Technologies—The Example of Induced Seismicity[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2020, 11(5): 630-639. doi: 10.1007/s13753-020-00298-3

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The Neglected Role of Risk Mitigation Perception in the Risk Governance of Underground Technologies—The Example of Induced Seismicity

doi: 10.1007/s13753-020-00298-3

D-USYS Transdisciplinarity Lab, Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS), ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology / Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule), 8092 Zurich, Switzerland

Available Online: 2021-04-26
Publish Date: 2020-12-01

Abstract

Abstract

Subsurface technologies, such as geothermal energy and carbon capture and storage, are options to help limit global warming. Subsurface technologies involve the risk of induced seismicity. The successful implementation of these technologies depends on the public perception of these risks. Risk governance frameworks propose assessing the level of public concern and designing adapted risk mitigation measures. We propose that concerns should not only be investigated with respect to the perceived risks but also with respect to the potential mitigation measures. We explore this by analyzing the perception of risk mitigation measures for different subsurface technologies. With an online survey (N = 808) in Switzerland we analyzed four technologies (in-between subject design) and four mitigation measures (within subject design). We found that risk mitigation measures are perceived differently, within and across technologies. Thus, public concerns about risk mitigation really matter. We suggest that future research should focus on how risk mitigation measures can be applied and communicated to realize the full potential of risk governance frameworks.
- Carbon capture and storage,
- Enhanced geothermal systems,
- Induced seismicity,
- Risk mitigation perception,
- Shale gas,
- Switzerland

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References(40)

References

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