Greenpeace report shows need for public hydrogen awareness

From the newsletter

European countries are using renewable energy, particularly green hydrogen from Morocco and Egypt, to greenwash their economies, while African nations are left to shoulder the environmental costs and rely on unclean energy, according to a report by Greenpeace International.

• The fast-growing green hydrogen economy is attracting significant investment, especially in Africa, yet it remains a poorly understood concept among the public. This lack of awareness leaves the industry vulnerable to misrepresentation and fuels skepticism about the true benefits of green hydrogen.

• As a result, the resulting green hydrogen projects are deemed as being exploitative and damaging to the environment. Without any awareness of what green hydrogen is and its trickle-down impact to the ordinary citizen, the public’s perception becomes an open market, easily swayed by narratives like those in the Greenpeace report whether true or not because they know no better.

More details

• According to the report, the EU’s investment in Africa’s green hydrogen sector amounts to "green colonialism" and "energy imperialism," turning African countries into “sacrificial zones” where local populations bear the environmental and social costs of Europe’s energy and consumption needs with little benefit in return.

• “In both Egypt and Morocco, the enthusiasm for renewable energy investments is tempered by the extractivist nature of most investments in this sector,and the harmful implications to local populations,” the report states.

• To address these concerns, the report advocates for “a feminist, sufficiency-based wellbeing economic model that places people and the planet at its core.” This model draws on communal, traditional, and ancestral practices from around the world, promoting a more just and sustainable approach to green energy development.

• While the report raises valid concerns, its use of emotive language with colonial connotations fuels public skepticism, exacerbated by a lack of public awareness on green hydrogen. In a continent with a history of colonial rule, such charged references intensify resistance to green hydrogen projects, framing them as a continuation of historical injustices.

• The public discourse around green hydrogen remains scarce. Even at high-profile events like the Africa Climate Summit 2023, discussions rarely reach the broader population. On social media platforms like LinkedIn, conversations about green hydrogen are largely confined to technical experts. Misinformation also spreads easily: a Canadian climate advocate recently dismissed green hydrogen as a “zombie meme idea,” arguing that it's scientifically unviable and driven by political correctness.

• There have been some public-facing efforts: trade associations host events, and firms like Africa Practice engage in PR work. But most of this content is geared toward investors and policymakers, not the general public. To secure green hydrogen’s future, the industry must rethink its communication strategy and actively cultivate grassroots understanding and support.

• The lack of public awareness is evident in recent demonstrations in Namibia, where locals oppose port expansion for green hydrogen exports. Protesters argue the project will disturb the resting places of victims of the genocide carried out during German colonial rule from 1884 to 1915. Shark Island, a key site for Namibia’s export strategy, was once a concentration camp where over 75,000 Namibians lost their lives. 

• While the physical remnants of the camp have been destroyed, recent investigations have substantiated the genocide claims and warned that green hydrogen developments risk further erasing physical traces of this history, compounding decades of systemic neglect.

• Namibian activists and traditional leaders are now calling for the preservation of the site now known as Death Island as a historical landmark, highlighting a disconnect between community interests and green energy stakeholders. Raising public awareness about the national benefits of green hydrogen development could help ease tensions, while stakeholders work toward finding common ground.

• Acknowledging the role of green hydrogen in the clean energy transition, Raam Shankar, a mechanical engineer with a passion for green hydrogen, emphasises the importance of public education. “For green hydrogen to realise its full potential, it’s essential to engage in educational outreach and public awareness initiatives that highlight its benefits, dispel misconceptions, and foster wider acceptance and support,” he explains.

• To bridge the knowledge gap, he suggests providing “accessible and easy-to-understand information.” “By breaking down complex concepts into digestible chunks and using language that resonates with a diverse audience, we can empower individuals to understand the role of green hydrogen in driving sustainability and combating climate change,” he adds.

• Echoing these sentiments, Funmi Ebiwonjumi, a geoscientist, underscores the impact of these strategies saying, “By implementing these approaches, we can build a well-informed public that supports and actively participates in the transition to a green hydrogen economy.”

Our take

• To protect the future of green hydrogen in Africa, industry stakeholders must actively fill the information void. Public education campaigns, community engagement efforts, and accessible materials explaining the science and economics of green hydrogen are essential. 

• Both governments and private companies have crucial roles in raising public awareness about green hydrogen projects, though each may face trust challenges. The public sector can provide policy support and infrastructure, while businesses drive innovation and investment. To bridge credibility gaps, involving independent advocates who offer balanced perspectives and build public trust is essential.

• When critical reports emerge, such as those from activist groups like Greenpeace, it’s best to address concerns through factual explanations and proactive storytelling. These moments can serve as opportunities to correct misconceptions, showcase success stories, and emphasise the tangible benefits green hydrogen projects bring to local communities.