“Green” is not always sustainable: the sustainability dimensions of hydrogen
The German government adopted its import strategy for hydrogen on 24 July 2024. It assumes that Germany will need between 95 and 130 terawatt hours (TWh) of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives per year by 2030. The majority of this will probably have to be imported. The aim is to import “green” hydrogen. But "green" is not always sustainable.
Meta-study on the sustainability dimensions of hydrogen production in countries of the Global South
In the long term, Germany needs “green hydrogen” to achieve its energy and climate targets. Some countries of the Global South are suitable stakeholders in meeting the import demand. A meta-study conducted by Oeko-Institut, which was funded by The Amber Foundation, examines the current discourse on the sustainability dimensions that need to be taken into account in hydrogen production and transport. These go far beyond the notion of “green” as electricity for hydrogen electrolysis that comes from renewable sources.
The study focuses on nine sustainability dimensions including access to water and land resources and local economic participation. These are discussed in factsheets. Particular attention is paid to existing approaches to operationalising the individual dimensions. The meta-study shows that some dimensions, in particular socio-economic factors such as land use rights or the participation of local stakeholders, have not yet been sufficiently analysed.
Susanne Krieger, a research assistant at Oeko-Institut, says “the good news is that a large number of instruments are already being proposed that can be used to anchor sustainability dimensions of hydrogen.” The main focus in the design of instruments should be on dialogue and participation with local stakeholders and partners in the producing countries so that the opportunities for sustainable cooperation with these countries can be effectively developed.
More details can be found in the corresponding blog post: https://www.oeko.de/en/blog/sustainability-dimensions-of-hydrogen-in-specialist-discourse-an-inventory/ [Sustainability dimensions of hydrogen in specialist discourse – an inventory]
Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
Your contact person for this topic is Susanne Krieger of the Energy and Climate Division at Oeko-Institut. She can be reached by email (s.krieger@oeko.de) or phone (+49 761 45295-274).
Originalpublikation:
Study “Sustainability dimensions of hydrogen production in countries of the Global South” by Oeko-Institut [https://www.oeko.de/publikation/sustainability-dimensions-of-hydrogen-production-in-countries-of-the-global-south/]
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