Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HYPOP (HYdrogen Public Opinion and accePtance)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-05-31
Hydrogen is one of the key components of the energy decarbonization strategy of the Union. The development of Hydrogen technologies and their integration into the market energy can represent an important opportunity to face the challenge of climate neutrality and the energy crisis that Europe, its economy and its citizens are currently living through. Public awareness activities are essential for increasing social acceptance and trust in hydrogen-based technologies throughout the European Union, particularly for addressing the potential lack of knowledge or mistrust of key stakeholders directly involved in the first phases of mass deployment in Europe.
Project HYPOP - HYdrogen Public Opinion and accePtance, aims to raise public awareness and trust towards hydrogen technologies and their systemic benefits, through:
• the preparation of guidelines and good practices that will help to define more effectively how citizens, consumers/end-users and stakeholders can be involved in the implementation of Hydrogen technologies
• the creation of a web platform, and social media, collecting communication material, mainly videos, on new hydrogen technologies, developed according to the early findings of the public engagement activities.
To reach the overall goals of the project, 2 different target groups are targeted, engaged and involved directly in dedicated activities: citizens, consumers, end users and communication experts; institutional stakeholders such as: first responders, permitting entities, certification bodies and decision makers.
The project has analysed the current situation in terms of public perception, as gathered from public surveys and from social media analysis, and in terms of approaches to permitting, safety and certification of hydrogen technologies. The reviews covered Europe as a whole but focused on the countries represented by the project partners (Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Bulgaria), the remaining EU-13 Countries and other EU Countries where hydrogen implementation is most advanced (France, Germany and the Netherlands mainly). A framework for Social Life Cycle Assessment, demonstrated for two application cases (mobility and residential) is to be developed.
The findings of the first year are to be discussed within workshops targeting citizens and stakeholders, to gather material for the drafting of the guidelines addressed to communication officers of hydrogen projects and to institutional stakeholders.
Project HYPOP - HYdrogen Public Opinion and accePtance, aims to raise public awareness and trust towards hydrogen technologies and their systemic benefits, through:
• the preparation of guidelines and good practices that will help to define more effectively how citizens, consumers/end-users and stakeholders can be involved in the implementation of Hydrogen technologies
• the creation of a web platform, and social media, collecting communication material, mainly videos, on new hydrogen technologies, developed according to the early findings of the public engagement activities.
To reach the overall goals of the project, 2 different target groups are targeted, engaged and involved directly in dedicated activities: citizens, consumers, end users and communication experts; institutional stakeholders such as: first responders, permitting entities, certification bodies and decision makers.
The project has analysed the current situation in terms of public perception, as gathered from public surveys and from social media analysis, and in terms of approaches to permitting, safety and certification of hydrogen technologies. The reviews covered Europe as a whole but focused on the countries represented by the project partners (Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Bulgaria), the remaining EU-13 Countries and other EU Countries where hydrogen implementation is most advanced (France, Germany and the Netherlands mainly). A framework for Social Life Cycle Assessment, demonstrated for two application cases (mobility and residential) is to be developed.
The findings of the first year are to be discussed within workshops targeting citizens and stakeholders, to gather material for the drafting of the guidelines addressed to communication officers of hydrogen projects and to institutional stakeholders.
The first year of the project has focused on the assessment of the current public view on hydrogen and on current approaches to safety, permitting and certification of hydrogen technologies.
Information about the public understanding of hydrogen was gathered by reviewing published research on public perceptions and reactions to hydrogen, by analysing the responses and reactions of citizens aged 15 and above in each of the Country or Region surveyed by the Public Opinion Survey, completed in spring 2023 and finally by analysing social media activity on the topic.
Overall, the European public's attitude towards hydrogen technologies is cautiously optimistic but highlights a clear need for strategic educational campaigns and transparent communication about the benefits and safety of hydrogen energy. Differences between and within countries in levels of awareness and familiarity highlight the need for localised educational campaigns sensitive to each country’s unique cultural, environmental, and political landscape. Regarding the environmental and safety perceptions of hydrogen, the overall sentiment across Europe is positive, with a strong majority viewing hydrogen as a sustainable and safer alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Information on the current approaches on safety, permitting and certification across the EU was collected through analysis of public documents such as legislation and technical rules, surveys and one-to-one interviews with stakeholders, including managers of hydrogen projects (hydrogen valleys, R&I projects on hydrogen technologies). Concerning safety, two main approaches were identified across Europe, a prescriptive and a performance-based approach. They were both analysed and a proposed pathway of adoption was traced. On permitting, the analysis identified significant differences in approaches by different Member States but also at local level within the same Country. The analysis highlighted how the existence of Guidelines has been supportive of a smoother permitting process. A similar approach could also support the certification of hydrogen technologies, specifically the most innovative.
Information about the public understanding of hydrogen was gathered by reviewing published research on public perceptions and reactions to hydrogen, by analysing the responses and reactions of citizens aged 15 and above in each of the Country or Region surveyed by the Public Opinion Survey, completed in spring 2023 and finally by analysing social media activity on the topic.
Overall, the European public's attitude towards hydrogen technologies is cautiously optimistic but highlights a clear need for strategic educational campaigns and transparent communication about the benefits and safety of hydrogen energy. Differences between and within countries in levels of awareness and familiarity highlight the need for localised educational campaigns sensitive to each country’s unique cultural, environmental, and political landscape. Regarding the environmental and safety perceptions of hydrogen, the overall sentiment across Europe is positive, with a strong majority viewing hydrogen as a sustainable and safer alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Information on the current approaches on safety, permitting and certification across the EU was collected through analysis of public documents such as legislation and technical rules, surveys and one-to-one interviews with stakeholders, including managers of hydrogen projects (hydrogen valleys, R&I projects on hydrogen technologies). Concerning safety, two main approaches were identified across Europe, a prescriptive and a performance-based approach. They were both analysed and a proposed pathway of adoption was traced. On permitting, the analysis identified significant differences in approaches by different Member States but also at local level within the same Country. The analysis highlighted how the existence of Guidelines has been supportive of a smoother permitting process. A similar approach could also support the certification of hydrogen technologies, specifically the most innovative.
The public perception analysis has identified the main areas onto which an effective information and education campaign should work, and this will be validated through a series of local workshops. This strategy is being developed, but the following recommendations were developed from the public perception analysis:
● Develop and implement education programs tailored to specific regions and demographics to improve hydrogen awareness and acceptance.
● Prioritise educational efforts in countries with lower awareness and more negative perceptions, particularly within the EU13 nations.
● Enhance social media's role in spreading accurate information about hydrogen technologies, focusing on engaging content that addresses safety, environmental benefits, and practical applications.
● Target social media campaigns at demographics showing lower awareness to bridge the knowledge gap.
● Address safety concerns through comprehensive information campaigns highlighting hydrogen’s safety compared to other energy sources.
● Emphasise hydrogen’s environmental benefits in public messaging to align with the increasing environmental concerns of the citizens.
On safety, an evaluation of the integration of the prescriptive and performance-based approach was undertaken.
● Develop and implement education programs tailored to specific regions and demographics to improve hydrogen awareness and acceptance.
● Prioritise educational efforts in countries with lower awareness and more negative perceptions, particularly within the EU13 nations.
● Enhance social media's role in spreading accurate information about hydrogen technologies, focusing on engaging content that addresses safety, environmental benefits, and practical applications.
● Target social media campaigns at demographics showing lower awareness to bridge the knowledge gap.
● Address safety concerns through comprehensive information campaigns highlighting hydrogen’s safety compared to other energy sources.
● Emphasise hydrogen’s environmental benefits in public messaging to align with the increasing environmental concerns of the citizens.
On safety, an evaluation of the integration of the prescriptive and performance-based approach was undertaken.