Public acceptance of Carbon capture and storage projects: Evidence from southern Louisiana, United States.

Abstract

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) proposals across the U.S. Gulf Coast raise questions about public acceptance, trusted messengers, and justice in communities with long industrial histories. A mixed-methods convergent study of adult residents in Louisiana, U.S. was conducted. A survey produced 466 responses, complemented by semi-structured interviews with 11 community leaders from government agencies, NGOs, and a private company. Ordinal outcomes used Mann-Whitney tests and local acceptance was modeled via logistic regression with familiarity, self-rated knowledge, concern and trust indicators, and demographic adjustors. Baseline understanding was low. Overall, 58.3% of respondents indicated they would accept a CCS project in their parish; acceptance did not differ significantly by age, gender, or income. Older and higher-income respondents reported higher familiarity and knowledge. The most frequent concerns were health risks, environmental injustice, economic impacts, and effectiveness; scientists and environmental organizations were the most trusted information sources, followed by government agencies and community leaders. In adjusted models, familiarity, trust in government agencies, and selecting economic impacts as salient were positively associated with acceptance. Qualitative responses emphasized independent monitoring, public dashboards, groundwater protection, and clear liability alongside auditable local benefits. Thus, acceptance is conditional on credible governance, transparent risk management, and tangible community benefits.