Carbon dioxide capture and storage: public perception, policy and regulatory issues in the Netherlands

CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) projects are quickly emerging all over the world, however, uncertainty is prevailing in the context of the public acceptance, a legal framework, and the policy incentives for CCS. Fulfillment of these requirements is essential for the CCS deployment. This chapter focuses on a public perception study that analyzes the acceptance, policy, and regulatory issues related to CCS in the Netherlands. It can be concluded that the average attitude towards CO₂ capture and storage is not positive but also not rejecting, although the drawbacks of the technology are regarded greater than the benefits. The public's feelings associated with storage of CO₂ seem to be dominated by concern. The legal framework in the Netherlands is developing with a big step taken by the coming into force of a Mining Act allowing storage of CO₂ in the underground under conditions for safety and environmental impacts. Policy incentives include the European Union Emissions Trading System, Joint Implementation, and an electricity subsidy for a Zero Emission Power Plant.