Social acceptance of a green ammonia hub in a remote coastal community: The case of Ísafjörður in Iceland

• Main Author: Matei Filip Popescu 1997-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2025
• Subjects: Umhverfis- og auðlindafræði; Draga; Ísafjörður; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/1946/49044

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping by 20% by 2030 compared to 2008 levels, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Green ammonia is a promising alternative fuel to help decarbonise the industry. This thesis investigates the social acceptance (SA) of a hypothetical green ammonia hub for maritime uses. This is done through a case study in Ísafjörður, Iceland, a remote community with a strong maritime history and the third largest port in Iceland. SA can act as both a driver and barrier to hydrogen fuel adoption in the maritime sector. Through a mixed-methods of a systematic literature review and 16 semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders in Ísafjörður, the thesis explores the factors influencing public perceptions of this new technology. The findings reveal that perceived benefits such as job creation and environmental protection drive acceptance, while concerns regarding safety, cost, and visual pollution act as barriers. Technical limitations of the regional energy infrastructure emerged as a critical concern, highlighting the need for feasibility assessments alongside or before SA studies. This thesis contributes to academic knowledge by expanding the analytical framework for assessing SA by adding a technological dimension to the sustainable development (SD) framework, and employing Lozano's (2015) corporate sustainability model to capture the multi-layered and interconnected nature of stakeholder perceptions. Furthermore, it highlights the overarching influence of legislative frameworks in shaping the context for other factors influencing SA. For Icelandic policymakers, this thesis encourages the implementation of already proposed policies from Iceland’s new Climate Action Plan (CAP) and Hydrogen and E-fuels Roadmap for Iceland released in 2024, which seek to facilitate a just and sustainable energy transition in the maritime sector. Alþjóðasiglingamálastofnunin stefnir að því að draga úr losun ...