Power-to-X and Sustainability

Although a global market ramp-up of green hydrogen and power-to-x (PtX) in itself promises benefits with respect to climate-neutrality and sustainability, these benefits are by no means automatically unlocked. In designing supply chains and policy frameworks, key elements of sustainability need to be taken into account in order to ensure long-lasting positive impacts for all stakeholders directly or indirectly involved. In this context, sustainability means more than reducing (carbon) emissions. A successful market ramp-up must address all dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, social and governance (EESG).

The digital discussion series "Power-to-X and Sustainability – Addressing challenges and opportunities for development" takes six different perspectives to look at the green hydrogen / PtX value chain. Each of the three online discussions presents two specific perspectives and the participants together with the experts identify relevant challenges and opportunities to overcome concerns. The Wuppertal Institute and the International PtX Hub organise three rounds of online discussions with the following focal topics:

• 19 October, 9.30-11.00 (EET)
  Skills and jobs & Benefits for communities
  The first round of discussions seeks to provide and to gain further input on how lasting employment effects can be safeguarded and what options there are to ensure that local communities benefit from green hydrogen / PtX production and use. Inputs provided by Thomas Adisorn & Maike Venjakob (Wuppertal Institute)
   
• 26 October, 9.30-11.00 (EET)
  Desalination & Carbon source
  The production of green hydrogen not only depends on renewables but also on water and, in addition, certain PtX products also require carbon. In the second part of our series, we want to discuss ways to overcome concerns associated with desalination of sea and brackish water and with supplying carbon sources. Inputs provided by Frank Labunski (Wuppertal Institute)
   
• 2 November, 9.30-11.00 (EET)
  Land-use & Stakeholder participation
  Green hydrogen and PtX production can have a significant land use footprint and may affect a set of stakeholders. The last part of our series asks how land use for green hydrogen and PtX can be sustainably provided, while also scrutinizing on how to engage with stakeholders pro-actively. Inputs provided by Maike Venjakob & Lena Tholen (Wuppertal Institute)

The discussion series provides a topical input for each of the perspectives. Participants are invited to share their expertise and views to help to identify solutions for the multidimensional barriers to green hydrogen production in developing and emerging countries.

Please mark time and date of the sessions in your calendar and join the discussion by clicking on the links below. For more information, get in touch with Thomas Adisorn (Researcher in the Energy Policy Research Unit at the Wuppertal Institute) via thomas.adisorn@wupperinst.org.