Public chooses green hydrogen; trust in producers also matters

The public mainly accepts green hydrogen, produced entirely from renewable energy sources, while blue hydrogen—partly derived from fossil fuels—is less popular. This is shown by research from the University of Groningen and EAWAG, published in Energy Research & Social Science.

The study reveals that a company’s history influences trust in hydrogen production. Firms with experience in renewable energy are seen as more trustworthy than traditional fossil-fuel companies such as Shell or BP. Moreover, the public is less suspicious of the motives of companies with a renewable-energy background than of those rooted in fossil fuels.

However, this trust does not always directly determine acceptance of hydrogen projects. When evaluating such projects, consumers focus primarily on the sustainability of the energy carrier itself, regardless of who produces it.

According to the researchers, this highlights that policymakers in the energy transition should consider both the type of hydrogen and the producer’s reputation to increase public support. Green hydrogen thus offers not only an alternative to fossil fuels but also enjoys broader social acceptance.

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