Research

This research project aims to identify the key requirements for a social licence to operate facilitating the adoption of low-carbon fuels by industry users and the community. The main research objectives include developing an understanding of various stakeholder attitudes towards future fuels and monitoring changes in attitudes of those stakeholders via longitudinal, deliberative and other research methods and processes.

Key project deliverables include social research reports on stakeholder attitudes and trustworthy information tools which project proponents and policy makers can use to assist in the safe introduction and use of future fuels.

Project updates:

26 June 2024: Final Report for RP2.1-02 made open access

Future Fuels CRC has made this project’s Final Report available to non-participants (open access). This report summarises key learnings from a wide range of research activities conducted since the project’s commencement in 2019 and outlines recommendation for industry and other relevant stakeholders and organisations. (Click on green text to access)

28 May 2024 Webinar: Social license and acceptance of hydrogen and biomethane

The University of Queensland has now completed its pivotal research project to identify the key requirements for a social licence for hydrogen and biomethane from Australian communities and industry. This free-of-charge, public webinar was a great introduction to the latest insights from their research including public perceptions, stakeholder attitudes, national surveys and deliberative engagement processes. This event is important for anyone working with communities and end-users to implement hydrogen and biomethane projects.

Speakers

Kathy Witt, Associate Professor and Amrita Kambo, Research Fellow

The speakers were joined by a Q&A panel of industry experts including David Norman, CEO of Future Fuels CRC and

Elena Miceski, Environment and Social Consulting Lead at Worley,
Helen Williams, Head of Community and Social Performance at APA Group and
Owen Sharpe, Strategy Manager at Australian Gas Infrastructure Group

Future Fuels CRC has released the report: ‘Assessing public and end-user perceptions: Risks of renewable gases such as hydrogen’ (April 2024). Download the report and the Technical Appendices.

National public survey on attitudes towards biogas (April 2023): the Future Fuels CRC has released the results of a national survey on biogas which was conducted in mid-2022 (data collection occurred between 24th May and 7th June 2022). The survey was undertaken to understand the public’s response to biogas as a future energy source (Download full survey report). The survey builds on an earlier literature review on social acceptance of biogas (click on link to access) which revealed that studies in relation to public perceptions of biogas are limited.

Report on engagement and workshops with policymakers (September 2022): online workshops were held with government and industry policy makers and influencers in which they discussed and responded to findings from the national public survey (see above) and citizens’ panels (see RP2.1-07). The associated project report summarises key insights into how they responded and current perceived needs and requirements in the realm of future fuels policymaking. Download the project report

National public survey on attitudes towards hydrogen (August 2021): the Future Fuels CRC has released the results of a national public survey of over three thousand Australians on public attitudes towards hydrogen conducted between 29th January and 20th February 2021. This survey found widespread public support for producing and using hydrogen both in Australia and for export, as well as that awareness about hydrogen is growing. Download full survey report

The research results produced to-date support the activities happening now in every State to develop Australia’s hydrogen industry. Current and ongoing work will further clarify social licence requirements as well as the information needs, concerns and views of key stakeholders (e.g. affected local communities, trades and associated workers and emergency service workers and the broader public). These research outputs can inform the creation of a wide range of information and communication materials.

The research from this work package should also be helpful to inform the other Research Programs of relevant societal issues and the perceived benefits that an emerging hydrogen economy can bring.

Dr Stephen McGrail

Research and Education Program Coordinator

stephenmcgrail@futurefuelscrc.com