Enabling a hydrogen economy is one of three key areas that countries must consider ahead of the Cop26 climate talks in November, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Unece).

Hydrogen was a little-discussed issue at the Paris climate talks in 2015, but in the intervening years has come to be considered a key part of achieving net zero. Hydrogen was highlighted as important for achieving the Paris agreement’s goals by a meeting of more than fifty ministers with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in July.

But many countries do not yet have hydrogen strategies, including in the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.

Action on hydrogen—alongside achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring a just transition—is vital in achieving the goals of that agreement, according to Unece executive secretary Olga Algayerova.

“At Cop26, governments must commit to the transformative action we urgently need,” she says. “I call on Unece member states to give this action portfolio careful consideration.”

Unece supports the development of blue, green and pink hydrogen (using nuclear power). But there is a need for coordinated action to enable full commercialisation of hydrogen projects and infrastructure, it says in a briefing document entitled A Push to Pivot.

“At Cop26, governments must commit to the transformative action we urgently need,” Algayerova, Unece

It outlines five key areas where work is needed to achieve these developments: carbon pricing; proper categorisation and certification of different types of hydrogen; support policies to de-risk investments; procurement standards; and harmonisation of international standards.

Existing gas networks could be vital in sector-coupling and the establishment of markets.

“There also is a need to promote safety, familiarity, education, informed decision-making, engaging communities and providing economic incentives for people to switch to sustainable hydrogen,” the briefing says.

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Author: Tom Young