Understanding global social acceptance of hydrogen technologies: trust, adoption barriers, and policy insights from an international survey

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key energy carrier with potential to support energy security and climate mitigation. While techno-economic and environmental aspects are well studied, the social dimension of hydrogen deployment remains comparatively underexplored. This study addresses this gap through an international survey of more than 1000 respondents, providing global insights into the factors shaping public acceptance of hydrogen technologies. The survey covers demographic characteristics, general awareness, and perceptions of specific hydrogen applications. The results show that universities and research centers are the most trusted sources of information, emphasizing the critical role of scientific institutions in shaping public understanding. Hydrogen technologies are generally perceived as safe; however, acceptance is strongly influenced by access to reliable information and public awareness. Economic factors emerge as a key driver, with respondents indicating that financial incentives would significantly increase adoption willingness. Applications such as hydrogen use as a chemical feedstock and for renewable energy storage are viewed most favorably, reflecting their higher technological maturity and policy support. Overall, the findings demonstrate that trust and economic considerations, rather than safety concerns, are the main determinants of hydrogen acceptance. This highlights the need to integrate social-perception indicators into energy planning and to align hydrogen policies with effective communication strategies and targeted economic support.