Public attitudes towards radiological risks and nuclear technologies: The SCK CEN 2024 Barometer

This report presents results from the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN) Barometer 2024, a representative survey of the Belgian adult population conducted since 2002 at regular intervals to probe population’s views on various applications and contexts of ionizing radiation. A focus point in the latest edition of the SCK CEN Barometer was the study of attitudes towards Small Modular Reactors (SMR), in the context of climate change, energy security, and sustainability. This research was conducted in the context of the European project ECOSENS. The 2024 Barometer also included sections on attitudes towards deep disposal of high-level radioactive waste and related decision-making, and decommissioning of nuclear installations.
Data was collected between 07/11/2024 - 03/12/2024, with a soft launch on 07/11/2024. The method used for data collection was Computer Assisted Web Interviewing. Compared to previous years, the 2024 sample (N=1200) included citizens older than 16 years, while in previous editions respondents were at least 18 years old. In the 2024 survey, several scales have been revised from 5 point Likert scales to 7-point Likert scales.
Energy preferences: Results show that Belgian citizens strongly support renewable energy sources for the future electricity mix in 2050. More than 40% of Belgians also indicate that natural gas should be used to produce a small or very small amount of electricity, if at all. Nuclear energy is seen as playing a role in the national energy mix, with only 7% opposing its use, while more than 60% of respondents express support for its use in a moderate to a very large amount, and another 22% expressing a preference for the use of nuclear to a very small or small amount.