Overcoming Challenges in Public Participation for Namakwa's Green Hydrogen Projects

Dr Thina Nzo discusses the challenges of public participation in the district's green hydrogen projects in South Africa.

She notes that community members felt excluded due to centralised participation practices and lack of understanding of concepts like Just Energy transition and green hydrogen.
Conflicts over land acquisition further exacerbated the issue.

She argues that deliberative forms of participation could have addressed fears and conflicts, but politics have also played a role in exclusionary practices, with certain communities being selectively invited based on political affiliations.

Thina emphasises the importance of recognising these complexities to promote inclusive development in the Just Energy transition.