Challenges facing governments
Fundamental changes affecting society, such as the transition to renewable energy, require some form of government steering. This includes the issue of how to regulate safety and health risks. The fundamental policy decision here is how much risk can be permitted in relation to the societal benefit of an activity.
This brings with it considerable challenges for governments:
- Innovation, such as the energy transition, goes hand-in-hand with new technologies. These may carry new risks and can bring risk to residential areas.
- Risks need to be handled with adequate caution. But as with any technology, serious accidents may still happen.
- Public debate tends to over simplify the concept of safety and health.
- There is no universal best approach to risk. Instead, there are two basic approaches which each have a very different impact. Safety and health specialists often advise a hazard approach, which focuses on adverse effects. But a policy maker needs a broader perspective which includes both the probabilities of adverse effects and the societal benefits of the activity.
- Innovation, such as the energy transition, goes hand-in-hand with new technologies. These may carry new risks and can bring risk to residential areas.
- Risks need to be handled with adequate caution. But as with any technology, serious accidents may still happen.
- Public debate tends to over simplify the concept of safety and health.
- There is no universal best approach to risk. Instead, there are two basic approaches which each have a very different impact. Safety and health specialists often advise a hazard approach, which focuses on adverse effects. But a policy maker needs a broader perspective which includes both the probabilities of adverse effects and the societal benefits of the activity.
If risk is not handled properly, ambitions such as the transition to clean energy can be unduly delayed or hampered. A balanced approach to risk is, therefore, essential.