Acceptance of megaprojects by local communities in Swedish-speaking Finland: a case study of the green steel plant in Ingå (GRÖNSAM)

A green steel plant is planned in Ingå as part of an agreement between a Norwegian company and Finnish national authorities, to produce ultra-low-CO₂ steel products using advanced industrial technologies. This project involves substantial investment and promises economic benefits to multiple stakeholders. However, uncertainties and risks persist, with some experts questioning the project’s feasibility, given the technological, economic, and social challenges involved. Understanding and addressing public concerns and social acceptability within the local community are essential for the project’s success.
This research examines stakeholder perceptions and community engagement to investigate social uncertainties, readiness, and the policy implications of this megaproject. Using the green steel plant in Ingå as a case study, the study explores the dynamics of risk perceptions and social acceptance of megaprojects in small towns in Swedish-speaking regions of Finland, examining factors that influence the emergence of social acceptability in local areas through an applied, community-focused study.