A critical review of social scientific research on carbon capture and storage

Abstract

Carbon capture and storage technologies have become a prominent discussion point within the broader portfolio of mitigation options to limit climate warming to well below 2 °C. Most carbon capture and storage research has focused on technical and economic aspects. However, there is a growing recognition of the systemic nature of sustainability transitions and the importance of diverse societal considerations. Despite this emerging focus, the research field is constrained by persistent assumptions.

This critical scoping review of social scientific research on carbon capture and storage analysed 108 research articles. Using a combination of manual and artificial intelligence coding, the analysis focused on identifying social variables. The review identified three key themes: acceptance, engagement and participation, and governance and policy.

Social scientific research on carbon capture and storage has been dominated by an acceptance-awareness paradigm and a tendency to view the public solely as actors impacted by the transition. Normative questions have received limited attention, though new interest is emerging. These paradigms and identified research gaps suggest that the field has adopted a transition perspective rather than a transformation perspective. By discussing the differences between these perspectives, this review provides a novel understanding of the research field, which can support socially sustainable development as carbon capture and storage momentum grows. Additionally, the review explores the advantages and challenges of employing artificial intelligence tools in qualitative social sciences.