Social perception of low-carbon technologies is already considered a critical challenge that could redefine the course of the energy transition
On September 10th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., an event was held to present the results of the research project “Social Perception and Scientific Diplomacy in Technological Transitions for a Low-Carbon Society” from the Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RCGI). The event was open to the public and brought together the project’s coordinators, researchers, and students.
Developed within the framework of the RCGI’s Advocacy program, the project aimed to understand how society perceives and accepts energy transition technologies such as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), Greenhouse Gases (GHG), and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS).
“Social perception is a central element in many energy issues, but what we have seen over the past few decades is that this dimension is becoming a decisive factor for the sector’s future. Today, more than ever, decisions about the direction of global energy development are being shaped by society’s choices and expectations, and not just by the technical aspects of the technologies. In the oil and gas sector, this perception is already recognized as a critical challenge that can redefine the course of the energy transition,” said Professor Karen Mascarenhas, project coordinator and Director of Human Resources and Institutional Communication at RCGI.
The project was structured into five workstreams, each focused on an essential dimension of the issue: Social Perception, Scientific Diplomacy, Socio-Geographical Analysis, Identification of Trends in Social Networks, and Innovation and Technology Transfer.
For example, the Social Perception workstream revealed that the acceptance of these technologies among stakeholders (government, regulators, policymakers, decision-makers, industry, media, academia, NGOs, investors, and society at large) depends on factors such as trust in authorities, perception of risks and benefits, and community engagement in project planning.
