Experts and Politics in the German Nuclear Waste Governance

This chapter provides a comparative analysis of the work of selected commissions appointed in Germany over the last 40 years to advise the Parliament or ministries in matters concerning nuclear waste disposal. Our analysis focuses on the science policy interfaces; it questions the role of science in society and politics by scrutinising the composition of these committees with regard to distance, plurality and neutrality as well as the evolution of disposal concepts and strategies within these advisory bodies. Five exemplary institutions are considered: the Enquete-Commission “Future Nuclear Energy Policy”, the Working Group on the Selection Process for a Nuclear Disposal Location (AkEnd), the Nuclear Waste Management Commission (ESK) (2008-present), the Commission on the Storage of High-Level Radioactive Waste (EndKo) and the National Civil Society Board (NBG). By reviewing the work of these bodies, we also explore the role played by scientific advisors and advisory bodies in policymaking. Finally, we discuss the scope of their mandate and their influence with regard to political and policy outcomes.