Assessing social impacts and Energy Justice along green hydrogen supply chains: a capability-based framework

This paper presents a comprehensive and versatile framework for assessing the social impacts and energy justice concerns of green hydrogen supply chains using a capabilities and human rights-based approach. As global efforts to decarbonise the energy sector accelerate, green hydrogen emerges as a key component to replace fossil fuels, achieve energy security and meet climate targets. Despite its potential, the transition to a hydrogen economy must address significant social justice challenges, both in Europe and in the context of global trade. This study emphasises the significance of implementing energy justice principles, encompassing distributive, procedural, and recognition justice throughout the hydrogen value chain to ensure an equitable transition. The rationale for the selection of the relevant capabilities to be considered in the analysis of the social impacts of hydrogen penetration into European and international energy systems is discussed. Theoretical links between capabilities and human rights theories are drawn upon to reinforce the argument for selecting capabilities that may be impacted by hydrogen supply chains. The identification of socially relevant aspects is illustrated through a review of both technical and social science literature concerning green hydrogen supply chains. Moreover, empirical studies on subjective well-being provide a foundation for distinguishing between the maintenance (basic) and growth capabilities of individuals, enabling a hierarchical evaluation across a broad range of dimensions. Overall, the framework is conceived as a tool that can guide empirical research to assess the social impacts of energy transition scenarios, providing social sustainability indications to support policy design.