Hydrogen is key to lower-carbon long-range transport

Significance

Maritime transport and aviation accounted for just over 900 million tons of carbon dioxide a year in 2019 each, together making up about 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Major transportation firms are increasingly researching the use of hydrogen as the best solution to decarbonise long-distance transport.

Impacts

• Transport sector interest in hydrogen implies solid demand for the fuel, boosting research and development into hydrogen technologies.
• The adoption of hydrogen decarbonisation pathways will boost demand for low carbon electricity, benefitting the renewable energy sector.
• Mass hydrogen demand may renew interest in nuclear power for low-carbon power generation, and 'blue' hydrogen output from natural gas.