Beyond Techno-Economics: Policy Incentives and Social-Supply Chain Dynamics in Scaling Global Green Hydrogen Production

Green hydrogen is crucial for decarbonising sectors that are difficult to abate. However, the existing literature mainly focuses on techno-economic metrics, ignoring the dynamics of policy and social supply chains. This review fills this gap by summarising how policy frameworks and social acceptance influence hydrogen scalability in Europe and the Middle East. Europe's fragmented governance, shown by delayed certifications and community opposition, is different from the Middle East's centralized models. The paper emphasizes quick deployment but also leads to labour exploitation and water scarcity. Both regions have supply chain vulnerabilities. Europe depends on imported electrolyzers and critical minerals, while the Middle East relies on energy-intensive desalination. The comparative summary shows that policy design, such as the European Union's misaligned subsidies or Gulf states' autocratic control, directly affects equity results. The review recommends reparative strategies, including redirecting carbon border revenues to support projects in the Global South, implementing equitable certification standards, and creating hybrid governance models that combine Europe's participatory spirit with the Gulf's operational efficiency. By highlighting carbon equity and ethical supply chains, this study redefines hydrogen scalability as a socio-political issue and provides policymakers with practical suggestions to prevent repeating the injustices of the fossil fuel era.