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Tanja Perko
Nuclear Science and Technology Studies
Institute for Environment, Health and Safety
Communication about
decommissioning and waste management Resent cases
JRC - Summer School; Ispra, 9. Sept. 2014
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I work at Belgian nuclear research centre
BR3, Belgian Reactor 3
HADES
R&D Waste and disposal
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I work at Belgian nuclear research centre
What is risk?
What risk is acceptable?
What are the ethical implications of
problem framing and problem solving?
What is the normative basis for
participation?
How can participation be (successfully) put
into practice?
How and what do we communicate?
What is the role of the scientist?
How is science policy made?
…
BR3, Belgian Reactor 3
HADES
R&D Waste and disposal
Programme on
Integration of Social Aspects
into nuclear research
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I am a social and political scientist PhD: Risk communication and Perception in nuclear emergency
Ex – Journalist
Head of PR at Ministry of defense
Researcher at SCK•CEN and University of Antwerp
FP7 Project coordinator, consultant, advisor
Practice
Research
Application
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Learning objectives of this lecture
To link stakeholder engagement with risk communication;
To highlight the characteristics of communication in
decommissioning and waste management;
To get acquainted with media reporting;
To build a communication according to state-of-the-art rules;
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My messages
Communication is important.
Communication is your job!
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The historical stages of risk communication
"All we have to do is get the numbers right"
"All we have to do is tell them the numbers"
"All we have to do is explain what we mean by the numbers"
"All we have to do is show them that they've accepted similar
risks in the past"
"All we have to do is show them that it's a good deal for them"
"All we have to do is treat them nicely"
"All we have to do is make them partners"
Fischhoff B., 1995
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Tell people clearly
what you are doing;
when you will do it;
when decisions will be taken and the level of public involvement.
If you don‟t know these things, let people know this too.
(There is a risk that people think things are happening but are
covered in secrecy or that they are being excluded.)
Communication plan
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Communication plan ties in with clarity over roles and responsibilities
Before decommissioning:
What do we mean by decommissioning?
When does decommissioning happen?
What is not decommissioning?
What are principles for successful decommissioning?
What are pre-conditions for successful decommissioning?
Working with locals, NGOs…
Avoid:
Infrequent, inconsistent, incorrect and poorly timed communication
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What do we communicate?
The nature of the decommissioning or waste management.
Different options and solutions.
Impacts/risks/benefits that a selected option might have on the
community.
Risks to human health and the environment
…
Challenge
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Knowledge about ionizing radiation in general population is rather low
“Exposure to radiation
will always lead to radioactive contamination.”
“Natural radioactivity is never dangerous
because we are used and adapted to it.”
“Vegetables grown near a nuclear power plant
cannot be safely consumed because of
radioactivity.”
Source: Turcanu C., Perko T.(2013)
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Researchers‟, industries,
authorities views:
The general public should be
„educated‟ by „explaining
them the facts‟ and by
assisting people to „better
understand‟ nuclear
technology.
“Let‟s educate emotional and
radio-phobic people.”
Challenge Lack of mutual learning Knowledge Deficit Model
12
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Researchers‟, industries,
authorities views:
The general public should be
„educated‟ by „explaining
them the facts‟ and by
assisting people to „better
understand‟ nuclear
technology.
“Let‟s educate emotional and
radio-phobic people.”
Citizens‟ views:
We miss the recognition by
industry, research and
authorities of being a
competent stakeholder.
We miss empathy.
Challenge Lack of mutual learning Knowledge Deficit Model Emotional Deficit Model
13
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Communication
Communication
about decommissioning and
waste management
RISK COMMUNICATION
LONG TERM COMMUNICATION = STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT
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Risk communication
A short term communication:
increases awareness of (protective) actions,
Improves understanding of decommissioning or waste
management,
improves the population response in a case of emergency.
A medium or a long term communication:
facilitates the remediation process
facilitates the decommissioning
facilitates the nuclear waste management
and supports the return to normal life
Mass media
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Decommissioning and waste management in media this summer (June – August, 2014)
“China To Work With Italy’s Sogin On Decommissioning And Waste
Projects”; 12.06.2014
“German government will not pay costs of burying dead reactors”
“Nuclear decommissioning costs shooting up in Sweden”; 27 Jun, 2014
“International Decommissioning Activities To Be Discussed At US
Conference”; 01.08.2014
“Russia Offers To Help With Chernobyl Decommissioning”; 19.07.2013
“EBRD Suspends Funding For Ignalina Decommissioning”; 14.12.2012
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Decommissioning and waste management in media this summer (June – August, 2014)
“China To Work With Italy’s Sogin On Decommissioning And Waste
Projects”; 12.06.2014
“German government will not pay costs of burying dead reactors”
“Nuclear decommissioning costs shooting up in Sweden”; 27 Jun, 2014
“International Decommissioning Activities To Be Discussed At US
Conference”; 01.08.2014
“Russia Offers To Help With Chernobyl Decommissioning”; 19.07.2013
“EBRD Suspends Funding For Ignalina Decommissioning”; 14.12.2012
50% of articles related to costs!
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It is not only a technical (scientific) process
Influence of social and political factors on:
decommissioning strategy,
plans and
costs.
Has to be communicated
Source: Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants; Policies, Strategies and Costs, Nuclear Development
N U C L E A R • E N E R G Y • A G E N C Y , OECD (2003)
Source: http://nuclear-news.net/
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Example Event 1
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BR3
=Cultuurreactor
50 years after
going in to
operation
Example
Event 2
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Many communication channels
Personal communication:
Open-door days
Excursions …
Media:
TV
Radio
Newspapers
Web page …
New media:
other social networking
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Digital TV
can be one of
the
communication
channels
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Many levels of communication
Internal communication – the first stage to a sound
communication
Know all partners involved in decommissioning and waste management.
Share the information among partners.
One message – many voices.
External communication – a big challenge for the experts
Many stakeholders.
Integration in the environment (transport).
Develop skills and tools to communicate.
Media communication – A bridge between you and a population
Low newsworthiness (develop a relationship)
Media training needed
.
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How to build trust in D and waste management?
Select people to communicate that are “close” (living in area, use
same language …)
Train experts to communicate
Don‟t change the communicators during key processes – they
have to be recognized
Listen to people‟s concerns
Resolve people‟s concern (adopt process to people)
Admit uncertainties, problems …
Develop responsible relationship, trust.
Additional reading:
• Sjöberg L. Local acceptance of a high-level nuclear waste repository. Risk
Analysis. 2004 Jun;24(3):737-49.
• Renn O. The role of stakeholder involvement in risk communication. Atw-
International Journal for Nuclear Power. 2004 Oct;49(10):602-+.
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What influences peoples trust?
hhh
Empathy
and caring
50 %
Competence
, expertise
15-20%
Dedication,
commitment
15-20%
Honesty,
openness 15-
20%
Renn & Levine, 1991
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In a stressful situation is a perfect message :
Simple and understandable (avoid jargon and complex terms)
Meet people‟s needs and concerns
Brief, concise and clear
27 words, 9 seconds, 3 key messages
P. Covello, ,1988
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Example message: How do I detect radiation?
You cannot sense radiation.
Radiation can only be detected using specialized instruments.
Experts are skilled in using these instruments.
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Impact on the audience
E. Jensen, 1996
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A perfect message is:
Simple and understandable (avoid jargon and complex terms)
Meet people‟s needs and concerns
Brief, concise and clear
27 words, 9 seconds, 3 key messages
P. Covello, ,1988
How much do people remember after
presentation?
Minutes
10 - 50%
60 - 25%
Hours
48 - 10%
Days
10 days - 5%
A. Vermeire, 2010
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What I would like you to take home from this presentation
Successful risk communication = stakeholder engagement.
Long term communication is complex due to low interest and
limited knowledge of a public.
In stressful situations make messages simple. 27/9/3
Enjoy your communication
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