Is “Greening” Hydrogen the New Oil? The Governance of Social and Political Risk in Emerging North–South Hydrogen Trade Collaborations

Abstract

Many industrialized countries in the Global North are looking at imported hydrogen from the Global South to fuel their industries of the 21stcentury. Currently, most research on the hydrogen economy looks at developed countries, but it remains unclear how a transition based on hydrogen may impact the Global South. This paper examines three case studies of projected front runners in hydrogen export, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, to explore the risks and opportunities of such partnerships. The study is empirically based on a review of policy strategies and project documents. The analysis draws on a resource governance typology to evaluate the hydrogen partnerships under development. Findings show that all countries face unique socioeconomic challenges that could affect their potential to benefit from export and local decarbonization opportunities. The article concludes with recommendations on how to develop new collaborations that avoid unintended socioeconomic consequences.