Socio-technical knowledge for robust decision making in radioactive waste governance

Abstract

The long-term governance of radioactive waste (RWG) is a complex socio-technical issue. This empirically based contribution provides a novel approach on how to complement technical expertise with stakeholder involvement and knowledge. It proposes an integrated overall system and procedure that provide robustness in a sustainable RWG: It is a combination of (1) technical design issues, (2) a variety of analysis methods and (3) institutional backup within a (4) dynamic procedure allowing for reasonable participation. The findings suggest that controllability, retrievability, and procedural issues such as transparency, traceability of arguments, and inclusive participation, are key elements in an integrative evaluation. Sustained and safety-oriented compromise can only, if at all, be achieved if collective learning and capacity building takes place. This requires that all relevant stakeholder views be considered. As a complement to the knowledge frameworks of all participants and to linking their relations, ...