Enforcing Shared Value and Corporate Accountability in Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Sector

The interest in hydrogen as an alternative to burning fossil fuels has intensified as international efforts towards net-zero carbon emissions gain momentum. There has been a widespread acknowledgement that the production of green hydrogen is pivotal to limiting this century’s temperature rise to below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. This is also true for Namibia as the country places its capacity to generate green hydrogen at the forefront of its national development plans. The abundance of solar and wind energy in Namibia means that it is uniquely poised with ideal conditions to produce and export green hydrogen. However, at present, there is no green hydrogen-specific legislation in Namibia, arguably presenting substantial challenges in upholding and enforcing shared value and corporate accountability principles. It is argued that shared value and corporate accountability are crucial in cementing the foundation of an environmentally sustainable green hydrogen market. It is also argued that shared value and corporate accountability are fundamental principles to ensure that foreign-owned companies operating in Namibia’s green hydrogen sector align their operations with environmental, social, and ethical requirements. This chapter explores the significance and challenges associated with green hydrogen production in the SADC context. In particular, it examines the extent to which the international, regional, and national legal frameworks in Namibia foster the enforcement of shared value and corporate accountability principles, highlighting areas where these principles can be incorporated or strengthened further.