Pitfalls in the communication about CO2 capture and storage

Abstract

One of the greatest environmental challenges the world is facing today is combating global warming. One of the solutions is the implementation of CO2 capture and storage (CCS). CCS is a controversial technology, and attitudes towards it are influenced by public communications. In this dissertation, I identify pitfalls in the communication about CCS. I show that irrelevant details dilute the persuasiveness of a relevant message, that giving more weight to either advantages or disadvantages of CCS is perceived as manipulative-even as illegitimate when people expect informative communications-and that citing pro-environmental motives for corporate involvement with CCS can be perceived as greenwashing. Furthermore, I reveal psychological processes underlying these pitfalls. To avoid long-term negative perceptions, stakeholders with an interest in CCS can best take people's source expectations into account and provide a relevant, balanced and credible message about the technology