Speaker
Description
Wider society´s viewpoint is an important consideration to ensure the continued support of peaceful nuclear power generation. History shows that lack of public support has influenced political decisions and impeded projects. With that in mind this abstract focuses on how the views of society could affect, and be implicated in, the decision-making process within the field of radioactive waste management (RWM).
Our recently published European Commission sponsored study on radioactive waste classification schemes in the European Union, that partly involved a public survey, found that 82% of respondents thought all radioactive waste was dangerous. It is significant considering many stakeholders are seeking public consultations as they aim to develop projects such as deep geological disposal facilities for high-level waste. Public opposition to such projects could impact important decisions such as siting etc.
One example has been provided on how the views of different stakeholders interact with an array of factors that influence the implementation of nuclear technologies applied to RWM. The study´s findings could be further advanced by elaborating on an assessment of currently applied classification schemes and whether there would be any benefit in implementing a holistic approach to classification.
