Governance of Radioactive Waste, Special Waste and Carbon Storage: Literacy in Dealing with Long-term Controversial Sociotechnical Issues

Monitoring is essential for the long-term safety of nuclear waste repositories, special waste disposal, and carbon storage (CCS), as it helps to substantiate evidence, support decision-making, and legitimise the programme. Strategic monitoring can address the controversial long-lasting "problem" of nuclear, other toxic, or CO2 waste and investigate ways to approach solutions or solution spaces. It is an integrative tool of targeted yet adaptive management and can be applied to other long-term sociotechnical fields.

Format: Hardback
Length: 145 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of long-term safety for nuclear waste repositories, special waste disposal, and carbon storage (CCS). It underscores the formidable challenges associated with these critical aspects, emphasizing the crucial role of monitoring in providing evidence, supporting decision-making, and legitimizing these programs. Deep geological disposal, in particular, emerges as a long-term safety concern that necessitates sustained involvement from a diverse range of stakeholders, including technoscientific experts, waste producers, public administrators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the general public.

The decision of what, where, and when to monitor is guided by the specific goals set forth, encompassing operational monitoring, confirmatory monitoring in the near field, and environmental monitoring in the far field. Strategic monitoring, as proposed herein, plays a pivotal role in facilitating processes, implementing policies, and overseeing institutional surveillance. It goes beyond addressing the enduring "problem" of nuclear, other toxic, or carbon dioxide (CO2) waste by exploring potential "solutions" or solution spaces. These solutions encompass not only technical aspects but also institutional, societal, and personal dimensions.

Strategic monitoring involves the tailored transfer of knowledge, concepts, and system understanding to specific audiences, ensuring that relevant information is communicated effectively. It serves as an integrative tool for targeted yet adaptable management, with the potential to apply to other long-term sociotechnical fields. By leveraging monitoring, stakeholders can enhance the safety, sustainability, and legitimacy of nuclear waste management, special waste disposal, and CCS programs, contributing to a more secure and sustainable future.

Weight: 750g
Dimension: 279 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031039010
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023