Ensuring Environmental Justice in the UK's Transition to a Hydrogen Economy
The Labour autumn budget has confirmed £2 Billion of funding for 11 hydrogen projects in the UK (Perry, 2024). According to a report by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2023), this funding builds upon the 2021 UK hydrogen strategy set out to decarbonise and create a profoundly renewable UK energy system; half of the production will be green hydrogen. Underpinned by a supposedly robust Hydrogen Production Business Model and the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard, these policies have supported private investment to develop scalable projects. The government clearly plans to develop the hydrogen economy; however are the environmental justice impacts fully understood?
Research around the development is varied, according to Rattle and Taylor(2023) this may not be the case, some studies have highlighted the social implications of decarbonisation on communities; they mention the positive impacts of job creation and skill development; however, there is a limited acknowledgement of the potential negative impacts that could be felt from hydrogen with each location facing potential local disruption and safety issues.
Further wider research by Upham et al. (2022) has highlighted that the transition to hydrogen energy systems can impact communities, and there are challenges in ensuring that vulnerable populations do not bear a disproportionately negative impact. Historically energy transitions have marginalised communities, leaving them without adequate support (Fouquet, 2016). A strong example of how bad the socioeconomic impact of poorly managed energy transitions can be is the closing of coal mines in the UK.
When coal mines were closed in the 1970s, jobs associated with the coal industry faced substantial economic marginalisation, leading to widespread poverty and high unemployment, exacerbated by a lack of alternative employment opportunities (Johnstone and Hielscher, 2017). The policy responses during the coal phase out prioritised 'cost-effectiveness' over comprehensive support, resulting in inadequate assistance for coal workers (Bang et al., 2022).
Literature has outlined a few key ways to support the transition to hydrogen energy with justice considerations in mind. Firstly, Müller et al. (2022), outlines the concept of the ‘Six Dimensional Hydrogen Framework.' This framework that includes procedural, distributive, restorative, relational, recognitional and epistemological, aim to support decision-making, that seeks to understand and reduce the impact of hydrogen. A fundamental way Muller mentions is that hydrogen projects should prioritise local population resource availability, before expanding. The UK Government should keep this in mind, as previously, with urban wind transition projects, they have followed a business-as-usual approach without substantial local involvement, limiting perceived value to the community (Evans et al., 2011).
Upham et al. (2022) makes several key points on how local communities can be protected. One of the most crucial is the need for inclusive policy-making that involves engaging communities early in the process. This helps build trust and equitable outcomes and makes communities feel valued and integral to the decision-making process.
Overall, the literature suggests three keyways to reduce the negative justice implications of a hydrogen economy. The Labour government, in its pledge to develop the hydrogen economy, should prioritise these strategies. Firstly, it should build local green hydrogen infrastructure that supports energy for local communities. Secondly, it should ensure open communication and representation to help protect communities. Thirdly, it should focus on retraining, educating, and empowering the local community with opportunities within the hydrogen energy economy. These factors will create a multi-level justice policy that respects and values community voices, making hydrogen a robust and sustainable alternative in line with climate goals without compromising social equity-like previous energy transitions have done.
Reference list
Bang, G., Rosendahl, K.E. and Böhringer, C. 2022. Balancing Cost and Justice Concerns in the Energy transition: Comparing Coal phase-out Policies in Germany and the UK. Climate Policy. 22(8), pp.1–16.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 2023. HYDROGEN PRODUCTION DELIVERY ROADMAP [Online].
Evans, B., Parks, J. and Theobald, K. 2011. Urban wind power and the private sector: community benefits, social acceptance and public engagement. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 54(2), pp.227–244.
Fouquet, R. 2016. Historical energy transitions: Speed, prices and system transformation. Energy Research & Social Science. 22, pp.7–12.HM Government 2021. UK Hydrogen Strategy [Online].
Johnstone, P. and Hielscher, S. 2017. Phasing out coal, sustaining coal communities? Living with technological decline in sustainability pathways. The Extractive Industries and Society. 4(3), pp.457–461.
Müller, F., Tunn, J. and Kalt, T. 2022. Hydrogen justice. Environmental Research Letters. 17(11), p.115006. Perry, M. 2024. Labour confirms budget funding for HAR1 green hydrogen projects. Energy Voice. [Online]. [Accessed 4 November 2024].
Rattle, I. and Taylor, P.G. 2023. Factors driving the decarbonisation of industrial clusters: A rapid evidence assessment of international experience - White Rose Research Online.
Upham, D.P., Sovacool, P.B. and Ghosh, D.B. 2022. Just transitions for industrial decarbonisation: A framework for innovation, participation, and justice. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 167, p.112699.