Stakeholders’ perceptions of Helium and Carbon Dioxide risks in a subsurface engineering project in France

Projects with a high socio-environmental impact involving the subsoil are often the subject of strong controversy between stakeholders, sometimes affecting their implementation. Thus, increasing attention is being paid to understanding the public perception of the risks associated with these projects. The objective of this research was to understand how social and psychological anchors influence the way stakeholders perceive the risks associated with a helium (He) and carbon dioxide (CO2) valorization project in central France. A survey was conducted among 306 people living in two geographical areas, one affected by the project and the other not affected. Verbal association tasks were used to investigate perceptions of He and CO2 and the data were then subjected to two correspondence analyses. Results:: The results show that He’s perceptions are not yet totally structured by psychosocial anchors but are nevertheless structured by the territory variable. For CO2, the participants’ discourse is organized around the notion of risk and refers to the impact of CO2 emissions on the environment. Moreover, perceptions are influenced by psycho-social anchors, which clearly structure the perception of CO2. On the other hand, for this object that is well known to the general public, the territory no longer seems to play a role in structuring perceptions. Conclusion:: This research highlights the importance of studying the psychosocial anchors involved in the appropriation of objects related to projects, in order to develop and adapt suitable communications according to the characteristics of the stakeholders and the territory in which they are evolving.