Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HYPOP (HYdrogen Public Opinion and accePtance)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-06-01 al 2025-09-30
The development of Hydrogen technologies and their integration into the market are part of the solution to the challenges of climate neutrality and the energy crisis that European citizens face. 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 have been 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 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) was developed.
The findings of the first year were discussed within workshops targeting specifically citizens on one side and expert stakeholders on the other. Through these workshops, HyPOP consolidated the set of guidance documents that constitute the main output of the project: guidelines to involve citizen in the development and implementation of hydrogen solutions; guidelines on permitting, safety and certification processes for hydrogen installations. Further support to public acceptance of hydrogen technologies is available through the HyPOP website, which collects videos busting false myths about hydrogen and raising awareness of hydrogen innovation and provides a useful toolkit to support communication of hydrogen projects.
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 have been 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 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) was developed.
The findings of the first year were discussed within workshops targeting specifically citizens on one side and expert stakeholders on the other. Through these workshops, HyPOP consolidated the set of guidance documents that constitute the main output of the project: guidelines to involve citizen in the development and implementation of hydrogen solutions; guidelines on permitting, safety and certification processes for hydrogen installations. Further support to public acceptance of hydrogen technologies is available through the HyPOP website, which collects videos busting false myths about hydrogen and raising awareness of hydrogen innovation and provides a useful toolkit to support communication of hydrogen projects.
The first year of the project 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 social media behaviours or national/international public opinion surveys. 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.These achievements were the basis for the creation of a “Public information and engagement strategy", supporting the national citizens’ engagement workshop in each HYPOP country, from which a Guidance was developed.
Information on the current approaches on safety, permitting and certification across the EU was collected through public documents (legislation and technical rules), surveys and one-to-one interviews with stakeholders, hydrogen projects (hydrogen valleys, R&I projects on hydrogen technologies). Significant differences in permitting/safety approaches were identified for the 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. Workshops with stakeholders supported the definition of approaches that could be used throughout Europe to facilitate the implementation of hydrogen technologies.
FCH tailored SLCA approach was performed considering two hydrogen systems on renewable hydrogen production and on urban mobility, resulting in useful materials supporting decision-makers.
Information about the public understanding of hydrogen was gathered by reviewing published research on public perceptions and reactions to hydrogen, by analysing social media behaviours or national/international public opinion surveys. 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.These achievements were the basis for the creation of a “Public information and engagement strategy", supporting the national citizens’ engagement workshop in each HYPOP country, from which a Guidance was developed.
Information on the current approaches on safety, permitting and certification across the EU was collected through public documents (legislation and technical rules), surveys and one-to-one interviews with stakeholders, hydrogen projects (hydrogen valleys, R&I projects on hydrogen technologies). Significant differences in permitting/safety approaches were identified for the 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. Workshops with stakeholders supported the definition of approaches that could be used throughout Europe to facilitate the implementation of hydrogen technologies.
FCH tailored SLCA approach was performed considering two hydrogen systems on renewable hydrogen production and on urban mobility, resulting in useful materials supporting decision-makers.
The public perception analysis has identified the main areas onto which an effective information and education campaign should work, and this was validated through a series of local workshops. A communication strategy was developed, with the following recommendations:
● 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 possible integration of the prescriptive and performance-based approach was undertaken. For permitting, an approach driven by a dialogue with the local authorities was proposed.
● 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 possible integration of the prescriptive and performance-based approach was undertaken. For permitting, an approach driven by a dialogue with the local authorities was proposed.