ID: 2079
Presenting Author: Sue Kaner
Session: 526 - The Truth Tangle: Untying Misinformation in Impact Assessment
Status: pending
UK projects like HS2, solar and lithium mining face political debate, public protest, and misinformation regarding environmental impacts. This paper examines strategies to counter misinformation.
Large-scale infrastructure and energy projects in the UK—such as High-Speed 2 (HS2), utility-scale solar farms, and emerging lithium mining ventures in Cornwall—have faced intense scrutiny and waves of misinformation. Headlines often amplify fears about environmental degradation, community displacement, and hidden costs, shaping public perception long before hearings or formal assessments occur.
This paper examines how misinformation was addressed during environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) for these projects, drawing on ERM’s experience with HS2 and lessons from renewable energy and critical mineral developments. It highlights strategies for evidence-based communication, early stakeholder engagement, and the use of digital tools to clarify technical findings. By comparing approaches across transport, energy, and mining sectors, the paper illustrates the evolving role of assessors as communicators and trust-builders, offering practical insights and replicable tools to strengthen credibility in politically charged and socially sensitive contexts.
Sue Kaner, Technical Consulting Director at ERM, leads environmental and social impact assessments for major infrastructure and energy projects, advancing stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance
Coauthor 1: Zoe Whitlock