Current research findings on the search for a repository

Source: BASE

According to a representative survey conducted by the aproxima research institute, the public believes that the safety of the future repository site should have top priority in the search process. The survey also showed that only a minority is willing to accept long delays in the site selection procedure. On the question of final disposal, the majority of the population trusts the work of BASE and other stakeholders. In addition, about two thirds of the population state that public participation in the site selection process is essential for the success of the search. However, a significant proportion of the population still has only a superficial knowledge of the details of the search process.

Since 2020, BASE has conducted a representative survey every two years to gather information on the German population's knowledge, attitudes and participation needs regarding the search for a repository. The data for the third wave of the survey, which is currently underway, was collected by aproxima between May and July 2024. This was part of the 'EWident II' research project, which involved a combination of telephone and online surveys. A total of 3,015 individuals aged 14 and above were interviewed in a manner representative of the target population. The preliminary results for the four sections of the survey are currently available to BASE as an advance preview of the research partner's final project report..

Safety in the search process is the top priority for respondents

In the section on attitudes, respondents were asked to indicate what they considered to be an acceptable time frame for selecting a repository site. Approximately one-third (34%) of respondents expressed a preference for the site selection process to be completed by 2031, as stipulated by the law. A further 13% of respondents would be satisfied with a conclusion to the search by 2040. In contrast, the acceptance of a search result by 2050 or 2060 is minimal, at 3% and 1% respectively. Forty percent of respondents agreed with the statement, "For me, the only thing that counts is that the best possible safety of the site is guaranteed, regardless of the duration of the site search."

Another area of interest was the involvement of actors in the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste. A survey was conducted to gauge the population's trust in 15 different groups of stakeholders. The group of scientists is the most trusted, with 75% of respondents indicating they have confidence in them. This is followed by the BASE (59%), BMUV and BGE (52% each). The least trusted groups are energy companies (27%), trade associations (23%) and politicians (17%).

In the section on participation, respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement that the search for a repository site can only succeed if the public is closely involved in the process. In 2024, 65% of respondents agreed with the statement, representing an increase from the 51% in 2020 and 58% in 2022 who indicated that the statement on the relevance of participation was true in their opinion.

As part of the knowledge section, the population's understanding of final disposal was also examined in more detail. Some parts of the population displayed significant deficiencies in their knowledge. For instance, a random sample of the population was queried as to whether a repository site for high-level radioactive waste is currently being sought. Just over half (58%) of those surveyed were able to provide the correct answer that a repository site is, in fact, being sought. Conversely, 10% incorrectly stated that a repository site already exists, while 8% erroneously said that no search is currently taking place. Furthermore, 24% of respondents indicated that they were unsure or declined to answer.

Nuclear phase-out: BASE survey shows waning consensus

In light of the findings from the previous EWident surveys, BASE has already identified the topic of 'building and sharing knowledge' as one of four key focus areas within its participation strategy (May 2024). The current participation concept, dated September 2024, outlines BASE's approach to shaping its legal information and participation mandate in the coming years under the heading 'On the way to the regional conferences'.

The results presented offer preliminary insights into the current perceptions of the German population regarding the search for a repository. The findings emerge against the backdrop of a waning consensus among the general public regarding the nuclear phase-out. This decline is also evident in the EWident survey results. While 76% in 2020 and 70% at the outset of 2022 still viewed the nuclear phase-out favourably, in 2024 the figure stands at 49%, just above the proportion who currently consider the nuclear phase-out a wrong decision (45%).

The data collected on the questions presented here and all other questions in the four thematic sections will be subjected to in-depth analysis by the research partner of the EWident project, aproxima, over the next few months. The objective is to ascertain how knowledge, attitudes and participation needs have evolved over time since 2020. Another area of focus relates to the similarities and differences in the results between different demographic groups and groups with different fundamental beliefs. The finalised research report on the third wave of the EWident survey is scheduled for release by aproxima in the first quarter of 2025, and will then be published on the BASE website. Further information on the ongoing project and the research reports (in German) from previous survey waves can be found here.