Call for papers: CSST conference on industrial decarbonization and low-emission hydrogen

SOAS Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST) with IDOS, Research Network Sustainable Global Supply Chains and the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) are calling for paper submissions for the Industrial decarbonization and hydrogen conference taking place on 28-29 October 2025 in Potsdam, Germany.

This conference is closely linked to the work of CSST and its broader research agenda, including the work stream on energy.

Researchers are invited to submit abstracts addressing one of the main conference themes by 31 May 2025. Contributions from low- and middle-income countries are especially encouraged, and selected papers may be considered for publication in a special journal issue at the intersection of technology, environment, and social sciences.

About the conference

The Conference "Industrial Decarbonization and Low-Emission Hydrogen: The politics and economics of sustainable structural transformation" will bring together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from around the world to explore the complex pathways for decarbonizing heavy industries. 

A particular focus will be on how these transitions can drive sustainable and inclusive economic development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries poised to play a key role in the global hydrogen economy.

Researchers willing to contribute to this conference are invited to submit abstracts to socioeconomic@idos-research.de in the range of 600-800 words related to one of the main conference themes by May 31, 2025. Please use “Industrial decarbonization and H2 conference” in the subject line. We particularly encourage contributions on, and from, low- and middle-income countries with big ambitions in this field. Submissions will be evaluated and selected by an international scientific committee.

The conference will offer a space to present new relevant research and to discuss with policymakers. The conference will include keynotes, academic paper sessions as well as research and policy panels. Speakers and panellists include Dawud Al-Ansari (Majan Council, Oman); Ha-Joon Chang (SOAS-University of London); Gonzalo Escribano (Elcano Royal Institute, Spain); Dolf Gielen (Hydrogen Lead, World Bank, tbc); Arunabha Ghosh (Director CEEW, India, tbc); Steven Griffiths (Sharjah University, UAE); Steffen Hertog (London School of Economics); Badr Ikken (Green Innov Industry Investment and former Director IRESEN, Morocco); Pamela Mondliwa (Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa) Susana Moreira (Executive Director, H2Global Foundation, Germany), Javiera Petersen (Under-secretary of Economy and Small Business of Chile; Kirsten Westphal (BDEW-German Association of Energy and Water Industries).

We aim at publishing a set of conference papers in a special issue and are currently exploring options with leading journals at the interface of technology, environment and social sciences.

Key themes and discussions

The conference will explore a range of critical issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and sustainability, including:

• Technology Choice and Uncertainty: Trends in prices, investment flows, and adoption of low-carbon technologies. The role of transitional technologies, such as blue hydrogen, in shaping long-term decarbonization pathways.
• Reconfiguration of Global Value Chains and Emerging Geoeconomics: The evolving structure of global trade and industrial production in response to decarbonization. The role of industrial and trade policies in shaping net-zero economies.
• Value Creation and Industrial Policies for Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Strategies for driving industrial transformation, overcoming entry barriers, and fostering local manufacturing and technological innovation.
• Political Economy of Industrial Decarbonization: The role of various interest groups in promoting or resisting decarbonization and hydrogen development. Strategies for overcoming political resistance and aligning incentives.
• Governance, Sustainability, and Benefit-Sharing: Ensuring that the shift to low-emission hydrogen and industrial decarbonization aligns with sustainability principles while maintaining economic viability. Lessons from existing sustainability governance frameworks.

Logistics and funding

There are no conference fees. Travel funding may be available for selected speakers, particularly from low- and middle-income countries. The conference is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the German Federal Foreign Office.

Join us in Potsdam in October 2025 to contribute to cutting-edge discussions on industrial decarbonization and sustainable hydrogen pathways.

Header image credit: kazuend via Unsplash.