Ensuring Fairness in Renewable Hydrogen Research
The Hague, Thursday, 4 December 2025.
A new report by the Rathenau Instituut calls for equitable cost and benefit distribution in sustainable hydrogen research, advocating for external stakeholder involvement to enhance fairness and innovation.
The Call for Justice in Hydrogen Research
The Rathenau Instituut’s recent report ‘Waarden wegen in wetenschap’ underscores the necessity for a fair allocation of costs and benefits in the burgeoning field of renewable hydrogen research [1]. The report suggests that current hydrogen research initiatives, often steered by entities within the fossil fuel industry, insufficiently address the equitable distribution of research outcomes and impacts. This oversight not only marginalizes certain societal groups but also overlooks the potential negative consequences of these technologies on vulnerable communities [2].
Involving External Stakeholders
To remedy these inequities, the report advocates for the inclusion of external stakeholders in the programming of research projects. This approach aims to bring a broader spectrum of values and perspectives into the decision-making process, ensuring that the societal impacts of hydrogen technology development are more comprehensively evaluated and addressed [1]. Through transdisciplinary workshops, researchers and stakeholders have explored methods to integrate justice more prominently into research agendas, emphasizing the importance of transparency and balanced influence among diverse interests [3].
Challenges in Implementing Fair Practices
Despite these recommendations, implementing fair practices in renewable hydrogen research remains challenging. The workshops highlighted the difficulty of translating global consensus on equity into actionable guidelines, reflecting the complex interplay between scientific integrity and industry interests [3]. Participants noted the need for a more explicit discussion about the beneficiaries of hydrogen advancements, pushing for policies that safeguard public values while encouraging innovation [2].
Recommendations for Policymakers
The Rathenau Instituut advises that policymakers, including the House of Representatives and relevant ministries, critically evaluate who directs the research and ensure that decision-making bodies adequately represent public interests [1]. Additionally, the report suggests that funders and research institutions adopt a transdisciplinary approach across all sustainability transitions, not just hydrogen research, to better align technological advancements with societal needs [2].