[Text in brackets are instructions to the interviewer]
Personal information (can be filled out in preparation)
Name of person interviewed Company
Date/time of appointment
Introduction
Introduce yourself and state the aim of the interview I am […] from […] and I am working on […].
We have approached you because of your involvement/role in [organisation/activity x]. We will undertake some activities in this area and we think it important to inform and possibly also involve you in these activities. To this end we would like to introduce ourselves and the research project to you and in turn we would like to get to know you and your community.
Explain your purpose and the purpose of the SiteChar project I will now briefly explain our project [address points below]:
International research project SiteChar – site characterisation CCS Public outreach activities throughout 2012 with people in area
In Poland as well as in the UK – aim to draw comparisons, research purposes
The central question is how public participation processes can be optimized, i.e. such that all stakeholders can be involved in the process, should a CCS project be planned in the area in the future (which at the moment is still a hypothetical situation).
We are involved in this project as independent researchers. The project is partly paid for by the European Commission, but also sponsored by industry with an interest in CCS. You can find further information on the project website: http://www.sitechar-CO2.eu
Propose structure of conversation
I would first like to ask you some questions about you and your organisation. Next I would like to ask you some questions about your local area. Then I would like to discuss our research project with you involving site characterisation for CCS. In all this will take about an hour. Is this OK for you? [if not, adjust order of topics and duration of interviews to the needs of the respondent]
Confidentiality (just address it, but not make big deal about it)
I would like to record our conversation, if you do not mind. It will simplify the analysis. We will only use it to work out our notes and not give it to anyone else. All information you give us will be treated confidentially. However we may want to quote you in the report, if you give us permission. All quotes will be anonimized. [If permission, start tape]
Respondent background
Can you tell me something about your organisation? What is your role and position within your organisation? How long have you been doing this?
Do you live in this area? For how long have you lived here?
General overview of community
This is the area we are talking about [show map and explain our definition of the area]. Can you tell me what features, according to you, define this area (or if respondent does not know the whole area – about the part he or she is familiar with)?
[Use prompts, otherwise the question is too general. Think e.g. about: demographics, geography, nr of inhabitants, local economy, main business/industry, history, ongoing developments, etc. Then go along with whatever topic is top of mind with respondent].
What are the positive aspects of this area? Why? What are drawbacks to this area? Why?
What do you see as the most important issue facing your local area? And what do you see as other important issues facing your local area?
Which topics are currently under discussion in the area? What are people talking about? (may vary from sports to infrastructure) Further questions: Why particularly these topics? What are people saying about these issues? What are their main concerns?
Social ties within community
Can you tell me anything about the social ties within this community? Are there any local cultural centres, sports clubs, scouting, etc? Who is leading those clubs/organisations?
Any facilities missing in your area, or recently abolished? Any new plans? [If needed use prompts:]
Local initiatives around employment, poverty, housing, health, etcetera Church or religious organisation
Cultural or educational organisation such as school, music or art club Labour union or other worker‟s group
Political party or group
Human rights movement such as development aid, women‟s rights Environment or animal protection group
Sports, recreational activities
Youth organisation such as the scouts Other activity or organisation
Industry in the area
Is there a branch of the industry of special importance for the area?
Are there any activities in your area related to energy (either production, transport, or consumption?
[Specifically for Poland: Only if gas production is mentioned spontaneously you can ask follow up questions e.g. do you know who is involved, what the gas is used for, etc?]
Nature, environment, and tourism
Can you tell me about the nature and recreational (tourist) situation of the area? (Does (or should) it attract tourism? Which parts?, why? For whom? Etc.)
Are there natural landscapes in your area that are protected by law (or that should be protected)? Are there any groups of activists who support nature protection?
[Specifically to UK site: discuss nature conservation value of the Moray Firth area – biodiversity, tourism, marine protection area, etc. Ask – „do you think that CCS could have an impact on biodiversity or on how biodiversity in this area is perceived by others?‟ and also, „ do you think that a CCS project could put off tourists from visiting this area in the future?‟]
Plans for the area
Are there any great investments planed in the area, e.g. in the field of infrastructure or industrial estates? If so, which?
What is the role of your organisation (if any) in such projects? Is there any project you play a role in?
Is there anything not currently planned but that you would like to see happening in your area? Any facilities you are missing (e.g. playground, library, sports club, new road, new school, hospital…)?
Community involvement in area developments
[To determine who are important local stakeholders, opinion leaders, who is enjoying most confidence, etcetera, ask respondents to describe some concrete issues from the past, who was involved, how they operated, with what results, etc. and you can also ask how projects are usually organized].
In general, how is decision-making about projects organized? Which parties involved? Are public hearings or consultations part of the process?
Recent examples?
In the recent past, how has the local community responded to on new investments/projects (e.g. infrastructure projects or industrial estates)?
Recent examples?
Can you recall situations where residents of your area joined in order to enforce or reject specific plans? e.g. Petitions, Information meetings, demonstrations or other signs of public protest, strike, …What was the topic? When was it? Outcomes?
In what ways/to what extent are the interests of the local public taken into account in project development? Examples? In your view, is this good or bad? Please explain…
In your experience, how do local media report in local developments? Which ones? In what way (e.g. factual, biased, sensation-seeking, or…)
CCS and public outreach
I would now like to talk with you about CCS.
Before I mentioned it, had you ever heard about CCS? Are you aware of plans in your area to do CCS?
As I explained before, we are planning public outreach activities in your area to take place in 2012 with people in area, as part of a research program aiming to investigate how public participation processes can be optimized should the hypothetical CCS project become reality some day. In your area…[site-specific information about with whom we are working, what they are doing, etc. For example in Poland, explain that we cooperate with PGNiG who will be the project developer in case a CCS project takes shape in the future which, again, is not certain].
Which questions do you have about CCS?
Whom would you like to answer these questions? Regarding public outreach:
Given what you told me about experiences with development in this area, how do you think it could be done better in the case of CCS in the future?
What would in your opinion be the best way to approach / organize the public outreach? (e.g. whom to involve, venue for information meetings, etc)
Who should be involved? How?
How would you like to see you/your organisation involved?
Any local events we should take into account when planning outreach? E.g. local festivals, holiday periods…
Any local media we should proactively address? Do you have any relevant contacts for us?
Close
Thank you for your participation!
Are there things left that you would like to share with me?
With your input we will write a report in which we characterize the site and give recommendations for public engagement. This report will be made publicly available at www.sitechar-CO2.eu
I will give you my card, if anything comes to mind later do not hesitate to contact me. [Leave your visiting card with respondent]