Risk and uncertainty: what it means for the Dutch energy transition and how a tolerability of risk approach could help

The objective of this article is to present specific concepts that can assist the Dutch government when facing scientific uncertainties in relation to the risks of technologies used for the energy transition. Of particular interest are concepts and approaches that create and maintain a balance between the need to enable innovation and the need to ensure high levels of protection to human life and the environment. The approach is grounded in the discipline of Risk Analysis. The chapter is divided in four sections of unequal size: introduction presenting the current dilemma (i), definition and clarification of the relationship between risk and uncertainty (ii), a tolerability of risk approach for the management of uncertainties (iii), and finally some recommendations (iv).