Understanding and Applying the Precautionary Principle in the Energy Transition [electronic resource] / Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Governance.

Local Subjects:

Governance.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (108 p. )

Place of Publication:

Paris : OECD Publishing, 2023.

Summary:

The precautionary principle has been an important aspect of regulatory delivery for nearly four decades. Now widely applied and with a global reach, the principle is often invoked whenever the scientific evidence surrounding the safety of a given technology is not conclusive. It is often applied where a safety risk is known to exist, but the probability and magnitude of harm are uncertain or unknown. The principle thus supports - and is an important element of - risk-based regulation. It is an important principle for the energy transition, in particular, though it is complex to apply in practice. The safety risk of technologies supporting the energy transition is immediate, which can lead regulators to operate and apply the principle over-cautiously - sometimes to the extent of complete inaction. This report examines how the precautionary principle can be used to support flexible decision making by helping regulators and operators manage risk through positive action.

Contents:

Selected cases involving precautionary approaches

Abbreviations and acronyms

The precautionary principle

Executive summary

The PP and innovation: how well do they mix?

Foreword

Introduction: What precaution, and for what?

Selected examples of the integration of the PP into national and international law

The PP as a regulatory approach: risk, uncertainty and precaution.

ISBN:

92-64-69830-2