We investigate how public perceptions of air pollution, risk beliefs and self-reported actions to limit personal exposure to ambient air pollution vary across cities. Our analysis also examines the extent to which a number of individual-level variables are associated to self-protective and information-seeking actions due to bad air quality. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey in four cities with a total sample of 1202 inhabitants. We found a moderate variation in the subjective evaluation of local air pollution between cities, as well as in the levels of annoyance and distress due to air pollution. There was relatively little variation in perceived severity, worry and self-reported actions. No variation was found for self-reported attention to air quality levels and controllability beliefs regarding the risks from air pollution. Preliminary modeling of four self-reported actions suggests that self-reported attention to air quality levels and worry are important predictors of self-protective and information seeking behavior. We conclude that both personal and contextual factors have to be taken into account in order to understand public reactions to outdoor urban air pollution. We discuss the implications in terms of risk and health communication.

A variety of policy instruments that impose restrictions on traffic are being put in place across European cities to improve urban air quality. These measures include various schemes such as congestion charges, low emission zones (LEZs) and other traffic calming measures. In this paper, we are interested in the public acceptance of LEZs. Recent studies show high levels of public support for LEZs across Europe. However, specific research on public attitudes towards LEZs is limited. We conducted a self-administered survey (online) among residents in Barcelona, Spain. Based on a previous analytical model, bivariate and path analysis modelling was used to examine the association between key independent variables and acceptance. The results showed that most surveyed residents had a positive attitude towards implementing the LEZ, perceiving this policy instrument as a fair and effective measure to reduce air pollution. Perceived process legitimacy, perceived global impacts and affect had a significant direct effect on acceptance. Prior attitudes and personal orientations and, to a lesser extent, personal characteristics, were indirectly associated with levels of acceptance.

Cada vez hay más conciencia entre los responsables políticos y la industria de que la “aceptación social” es un tema clave en el despliegue de tecnologías e infraestructuras energéticas de baja emisión de carbono en Europa. El desarrollo de las tecnologías de pilas de combustible de hidrógeno (HFC) implica aplicaciones a pequeña escala en el sector residencial y del transporte, así como infraestructuras de gran escala, cuya incorporación socio-técnica estará influenciada por el público y las partes interesadas. Investigaciones anteriores sobre la aceptación pública han trabajado sobre las percepciones públicas de las HFC en países específicos. Aquí presentamos datos de encuesta a escala multinacional, utilizando un enfoque socio-psicológico multivariado. Nos centramos particularmente en las diferencias entre países en cuanto al autoconocimiento y familiaridad, la actitud global y el apoyo en relación con las aplicaciones de HFC móviles y residenciales. Nuestros datos muestran que menos de la mitad de la población en los siete países son conscientes de la existencia de tecnologías de hidrógeno y pilas de combustible en el contexto de la producción de energía. El nivel de familiaridad con ambas aplicaciones es bajo, y menos del 10% de los encuestados se consideran familiarizados con estas aplicaciones. En general, los encuestados de los siete países tienen una actitud inicial positiva hacia las tecnologías HFC y es probable que acepten y apoyen la adopción de pilas de combustible residenciales y HFCEVs. Las siete poblaciones estudiadas son similares en sus actitudes hacia las tecnologías de HFC, pero hay pequeñas diferencias en la conciencia y aceptación de las aplicaciones de HFC entre países. Finalmente encontramos que el efecto positivo y negativo, los beneficios percibidos, la preferencia por las tecnologías alternativas, la confianza y la edad tienen una correlación significativa con la aceptación de las aplicaciones de HFC. Consideramos las implicaciones de estas diferencias para la aceptación pública de las HFC.

Renewable hydrogen is emerging as the key to a sustainable energy transition with multiple applications and uses. In the field of transport, in addition to fuel cell vehicles, it is necessary to develop an extensive network of hydrogen refueling stations (hereafter HRSs). The characteristics and properties of hydrogen make ensuring the safe operation of these facilities a crucial element for their successful deployment and implementation. This paper shows the outcomes of an analysis of hydrogen incidents and accidents considering their potential application to HRSs. For this purpose, the HIAD 2.0 was reviewed and a total of 224 events that could be repeated in any of the major industrial processes related to hydrogen refueling stations were analyzed. This analysis was carried out using a mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative techniques, considering the following hydrogen value chain: production, storage, delivery and industrial use. The results provide general information segmented by event frequency, damage classes and failure typology. The analysis shows the main processes of the value chain allow the identification of key aspects for the safety management of refueling facilities.