Risk communication: the implications for risk management

Abstract

This publication is part of a continuing research programme that seeks to examine aspects of risk and uncertainty with respect to environmental management. Previous reports and publications concentrated, firstly, on providing a general summary of aspects of risk and uncertainty that impinge on environmental management; secondly, on the relationship between environmental impact assessment and risk assessment; thirdly, on the place of risk assessment in the general decision-making process; and fourthly, on the concepts of perceived risk and acceptable risk and the need for the incorporation of these concepts into decision making. This publication describes some of the major features of risk communication, looks at current international examples, and recommends ways in which risk communication techniques might be used to reduce risk conflict in New Zealand.