Framing Carbon Capture and Storage: Media, Trust, and Public Acceptance in Austria’s Energy Transition

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been widely regarded as a key technology for achieving ambitious
climate goals, particularly in Europe. European stakeholders have placed high hopes on CCS as a
solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a sustainable energy
system. However, the successful implementation of CCS heavily relies on its social acceptance
remaining a pivotal barrier to its deployment. This paper explores the unique complexities of social
acceptance for CCS, emphasizing its multilayered nature and the interplay of socio-political and
community-level factors. While public support for renewable energy technologies like wind and solar
has been widely studied, the acceptance of CCS is uniquely complex. This paper reviews the state of the
art regarding social acceptance of CCS, comparing it to other RETs and controversial technologies. Key
factors include risk perceptions, uncertainties stemming from regulatory barriers, and the dual-purpose
nature of CCS infrastructure, such as pipelines and storage facilities. A particular focus is given to
Austria, where a case study highlights the role of political drivers, media representations, and public
discourse in shaping perceptions of CCS. Drawing on literature reviews, media analyses, and discussions
in online forums, the paper identifies the key challenges and opportunities for acceptance of CCS and
its related infrastructures.