• English
  • Deutsch
  • Log In
    Password Login
    Research Outputs
    Fundings & Projects
    Researchers
    Institutes
    Statistics
Repository logo
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  1. Home
  2. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  3. Scopus
  4. Social acceptance of green hydrogen in Germany: building trust through responsible innovation
 
  • Details
  • Full
Options
2023
Journal Article
Title

Social acceptance of green hydrogen in Germany: building trust through responsible innovation

Abstract
Background: Social acceptance presents a major challenge for Germany’s transition to green energy. As a power-to-x technology, green hydrogen is set to become a key component of a future sustainable energy system. With a view to averting conflicts like those surrounding wind energy, we have investigated social acceptance of green hydrogen at an early stage in its implementation, before wider rollout. Our study uses a mixed-method approach, wherein semi-structured interviews (n = 24) and two participatory workshops (n = 51) in a selected region in central Germany serve alongside a representative survey (n = 2054) as the basis for both understanding social attitudes and reaching generalisable conclusions. Results: Overall, it is possible to observe both a marked lack of knowledge and a large degree of openness towards green hydrogen and its local use, along with high expectations regarding environmental and climate protection. We reach three key conclusions. First, acceptance of green hydrogen relies on trust in science, government, the media, and institutions that uphold distributive justice, with consideration for regional values playing a vital role in establishing said trust. Second, methodologically sound participatory processes can promote acceptance, and active support in particular. Third, recurrent positive participatory experiences can effectively foster trust.
Conclusions: Accordingly, we argue that trust should be strengthened on a structural level, and that green hydrogen acceptance should be understood as a matter of responsible innovation. As the first empirical investigation into social acceptance of green hydrogen, and by conceptually interlinking acceptance research and responsible innovation, this study constitutes an important contribution to existing research.
Author(s)
Häußermann, Johann Jakob
Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation IAO  
Maier, Moritz Julian  
Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation IAO  
Kirsch, Thea C.
Freie Univ. Berlin  
Kaiser, Simone  
Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation IAO  
Schraudner, Martina  
Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation IAO  
Journal
Energy, Sustainability and Society  
Open Access
DOI
10.1186/s13705-023-00394-4
Language
English
Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation IAO  
Keyword(s)
  • Green hydrogen

  • Participation

  • Responsible innovation

  • Social acceptance

  • Trust

  • Cookie settings
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
  • Api
  • Contact
© 2024