One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel
Abstract Background The need for greenhouse gas abatement measures grows as climate change threatens life on earth. Negative emission technologies, such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU), can reduce emissions from the transport sector, particularly aviation. However, the lack of support and lo...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2024-01-01
|
| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00441-8 |
| _version_ | 1827377175891804160 |
|---|---|
| author | Linda Engelmann Katrin Arning Martina Ziefle |
| author_facet | Linda Engelmann Katrin Arning Martina Ziefle |
| author_sort | Linda Engelmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The need for greenhouse gas abatement measures grows as climate change threatens life on earth. Negative emission technologies, such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU), can reduce emissions from the transport sector, particularly aviation. However, the lack of support and low public acceptance can impact the successful introduction of new technologies. This study analyzes the factors that influence acceptance of the single production steps (capture, purification, conversion, and transport of CO2) of production of CO2-based jet fuels to identify acceptance hot spots and potential roll-out barriers. Results In a quantitative survey with n = 543 German respondents, we find that transport of CO2 in comparison with capture, purification, and conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons is perceived as less acceptable, efficient, and useful, more expensive as well as damaging for the environment and health. Furthermore, product-step specific risk perceptions, as well as benefit and barrier perceptions for CCU mainly predict people’s attitude towards the four production steps. A cluster-analysis revealed two groups, “Approvers” and “Sceptics”, which were characterized by distinctive perception profiles. Further analysis showed that sustainability (e.g., use of renewable energy) and efficiency (e.g., carbon removal and resource use) were of greater importance to Approvers. Conclusions The study’s results suggest the need for further research and information provision to enhance public understanding of the technology and its role as a part of circular economy approaches. Risk perceptions play a central role in determining attitudes towards CCU, which should be considered in future studies and communication strategies. The findings can inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communication experts working to promote sustainable aviation fuel technologies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:35:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-304b0e92ba7d4e429eecb500aeefcd89 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:35:11Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-304b0e92ba7d4e429eecb500aeefcd892024-01-21T12:29:39ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672024-01-0114112110.1186/s13705-024-00441-8One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuelLinda Engelmann0Katrin Arning1Martina Ziefle2Chair of Communication Science, Institute for Linguistics and Communication Science, RWTH Aachen UniversityRisk Perception and Communication, Institute for Linguistics and Communication Science, RWTH Aachen UniversityChair of Communication Science, Institute for Linguistics and Communication Science, RWTH Aachen UniversityAbstract Background The need for greenhouse gas abatement measures grows as climate change threatens life on earth. Negative emission technologies, such as carbon capture and utilization (CCU), can reduce emissions from the transport sector, particularly aviation. However, the lack of support and low public acceptance can impact the successful introduction of new technologies. This study analyzes the factors that influence acceptance of the single production steps (capture, purification, conversion, and transport of CO2) of production of CO2-based jet fuels to identify acceptance hot spots and potential roll-out barriers. Results In a quantitative survey with n = 543 German respondents, we find that transport of CO2 in comparison with capture, purification, and conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons is perceived as less acceptable, efficient, and useful, more expensive as well as damaging for the environment and health. Furthermore, product-step specific risk perceptions, as well as benefit and barrier perceptions for CCU mainly predict people’s attitude towards the four production steps. A cluster-analysis revealed two groups, “Approvers” and “Sceptics”, which were characterized by distinctive perception profiles. Further analysis showed that sustainability (e.g., use of renewable energy) and efficiency (e.g., carbon removal and resource use) were of greater importance to Approvers. Conclusions The study’s results suggest the need for further research and information provision to enhance public understanding of the technology and its role as a part of circular economy approaches. Risk perceptions play a central role in determining attitudes towards CCU, which should be considered in future studies and communication strategies. The findings can inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communication experts working to promote sustainable aviation fuel technologies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00441-8Carbon capture and utilizationCO2-based fuelsE-fuelsPublic perceptionProduction step perceptionTechnology acceptance |
| spellingShingle | Linda Engelmann Katrin Arning Martina Ziefle One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel Energy, Sustainability and Society Carbon capture and utilization CO2-based fuels E-fuels Public perception Production step perception Technology acceptance |
| title | One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel |
| title_full | One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel |
| title_fullStr | One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel |
| title_full_unstemmed | One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel |
| title_short | One step closer: Laypeople’s perception of production steps for manufacturing CO2-based jet fuel |
| title_sort | one step closer laypeople s perception of production steps for manufacturing co2 based jet fuel |
| topic | Carbon capture and utilization CO2-based fuels E-fuels Public perception Production step perception Technology acceptance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00441-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lindaengelmann onestepcloserlaypeoplesperceptionofproductionstepsformanufacturingco2basedjetfuel AT katrinarning onestepcloserlaypeoplesperceptionofproductionstepsformanufacturingco2basedjetfuel AT martinaziefle onestepcloserlaypeoplesperceptionofproductionstepsformanufacturingco2basedjetfuel |