Our Industrial Future: Hydrogen insights for a just transition, inclusive of the North

Ahead of the UK Hydrogen Strategy refresh, this paper synthesises insights from the 2026 Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project (REHIP) industry conference, co-convened by Teesside University and Energy Voice, alongside community-based research conducted in the Tees Valley. Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and local perspectives, the paper identifies three critical challenges shaping the future of hydrogen development: policy uncertainty and its implications for investment, the limitations of conventional approaches to public acceptance, and the need to operationalise just transition principles in practice.

The findings highlight that hydrogen transitions are not solely technical or economic challenges, but are deeply shaped by place-based experiences, trust, and perceptions of fairness. The paper advances the concept of relational and conditional acceptance, emphasising that support for hydrogen infrastructure depends on how projects are designed, governed, and embedded within communities. It concludes with actionable policy recommendations aimed at strengthening investor confidence, improving community engagement, and ensuring that hydrogen development delivers equitable outcomes for the UK supply chain and regions most affected by industrial change.