The Unique Challenges for CCS Public Engagement in South Africa

AbstractCCS public engagement always poses a challenge. However, in South Africa there are a number of unique challenges that are unlikely to have occurred with other CCS projects to date. South Africa has a population of 51 million with diverse cultures and belief systems. 60% of South Africa's population is urbanized across nine provinces and there are 11 official languages. The country is a developing country with a GDP per capita (Purchasing Power Parity) of around USD11 500. The country does however have a two-tier economy with some of the country's population living in first world conditions with many others in third world conditions.This paper presents in detail the multifaceted challenges faced by South Africa, including as a result of the legacy left behind by the repressive Apartheid regime, which have a direct bearing on how SACCCS engages with the Stakeholders in raising awareness on CCS as part of a portfolio of carbon dioxide (CO2) mitigation technologies to help address CO2 emissions from large point sources