Engaging with stakeholders is an essential part of any complete nuclear programme. Involving stakeholders in decision making processes, even those stakeholder groups that do not have a direct role in making those decisions, can enhance public confidence in the application of nuclear science and technology and strengthen communication among the key organizations in a nuclear programme. This publication provides theoretical and practical guidance on the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement programmes and activities. The key principles of stakeholder engagement are identified in it. It also includes tools such as templates to help establish a stakeholder engagement programme and identify associated activities, including tools for stakeholder analysis. The guidance provided can be further developed and adjusted to each specific type of facility, moment in its life cycle, and/or the group of stakeholders with which to engage. The publication demonstrates the importance of stakeholder engagement throughout the life cycle of all nuclear facilities, including operating and new reactors, all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining to spent fuel and radioactive waste management, decommissioning, and non-power applications.

This Safety Guide provides recommendations on meeting the safety requirements concerning communication and consultation with the public and other interested parties by the regulatory body about the possible radiation risks associated with facilities and activities, and about processes and decisions of the regulatory body. The Safety Guide can be used by authorized parties in circumstances where there are regulatory requirements placed on them for communication and consultation. It may also be used by other organizations or individuals considering their responsibilities for communication and consultation with interested parties.

This publication has been developed with the aim of translating the complex technical terminology and approaches embodied in the planning and implementation of environmental remediation programmes into a more accessible language. The objective is to help environmental remediation implementers and regulators engage and sustain dialogue with different stakeholders while developing a decision making process regarding the implementation of environmental remediation programmes. The publication deals with the technical and non-technical dimensions of environmental remediation and makes available experiences on how to proceed with communication and stakeholder engagement in environmental remediation programmes.

Involving interested parties in every stage of the life cycle of nuclear facilities is essential to enhance mutual trust on issues related to nuclear energy production. Beyond the groups traditionally involved in the decision making process, such as the nuclear industry, scientific bodies and relevant national and local governmental institutions, the concept of stakeholders also includes the media, the public, local communities and non-governmental organizations. Often questioning former communication practices, the information and participation of stakeholders now relies on a number of relatively new principles. While acknowledging the existence of different national approaches, this publication proposes a route to effective stakeholder involvement throughout the main phases of the life cycle of nuclear facilities (i.e. construction, operation, radioactive waste management, decommissioning) and the use of up-to-date methods to implement stakeholder involvement programmes.

The way in which local communities and other interested parties are engaged in dialogue about the decommissioning of nuclear facilities is likely to become an increasingly important issue as the number of decommissioning projects increases. This report identifies the broad range of stakeholders, their interests and interactions, and how these have affected actual decommissioning projects. The report takes into due account the environmental, sociopolitical, economic and cultural diversity among IAEA Member States, as well as the work of other organizations, in particular the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/NEA). As a result, this publication presents a thorough analysis of concerns typical for stakeholders and the approaches that have been adopted to reconcile them.

Many of the world’s nuclear power plants were constructed long ago without significant public involvement in the associated decision making. It is anticipated, however, that a variety of stakeholders will now seek participation in such decisions as the nuclear option is being revisited in many places. Accidents have also served to arouse public concern. The development of instantaneous media capabilities has created an awareness that may not have previously existed. Improvements in educational systems and the development of the Internet have made technical information and expertise available to individuals and locations that were previously without them. In addition, consideration of the environmental impacts of various energy strategies have moved to the fore. INSAG has concluded that the expectations of stakeholders of a right to participate in energy decisions are something that the nuclear community must address. Decisions regarding such matters as the siting and construction of a nuclear power plant are no longer something that is largely the domain of a closed community of technical experts and utility executives. Today, the concerns and expectations from a wide field of individuals and organizations must be considered. This report is intended for use by all stakeholders in the nuclear community, including national regulatory authorities, nuclear power plant designers and operators, public interest organizations, the media, and local and national populations.