Hydrogen’s climate impact will favour local use

Subject

The shortcomings of hydrogen as a green energy source.

Significance

The past decade has witnessed an investment boom in hydrogen-based technologies as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. If produced from renewable energy, hydrogen was thought to be climate-neutral. The assumption was that when used, hydrogen would be converted to water vapour and not carbon dioxide (CO2), sparing the climate. However, the effects of hydrogen itself on global warming have not been considered.

Impacts

• A rethink would reconsider investment plans for ‘hydrogen-ready’ gas infrastructure such as power plants, heating and import capacities.
• As attention shifts from hydrogen, technologies for which electrical substitutes exist such as cars will gain extra momentum.
• Long-term supply agreements to import hydrogen and plans to repurpose gas networks for hydrogen transport may be jeopardised.
• Regulation to cut methane leaks in the fossil fuel industry may advance, including via the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.