NGOs demand stringent criteria for ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Amid the development of the EU's Gas and Hydrogen Markets Directive, NGOs and industry sectors demand stringent criteria for defining 'low-carbon' hydrogen
• This call aims to prevent the promotion of unsustainable fossil gas use under hastily crafted legislation

🔭 The context: The debate centers around what qualifies as 'low-carbon' fuel, crucial for determining the eligibility for policy and financial support
• Environmental groups, alongside the wind, solar, and Danish shipping sectors, urge for a robust definition that ensures hydrogen from natural gas is only considered low-carbon if produced with a very high CO2 capture rate and strict limits on upstream methane leakage

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hydrogen is pivotal in various industrial processes but is mainly produced from natural gas, emitting significant CO2
• The call for stringent criteria aims to prevent prolonging fossil fuel demand under the guise of transitioning to clean energy, aligning with EU climate targets

⏭️ What's next: The European Commission faces pressure to not rush the delegated legislation defining 'low-carbon' fuels
• With EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson planning to present the act before autumn, there's a push for a transparent process that prioritizes scientific knowledge to ensure genuine climate action benefits

💬 One quote: "We need this thorough assessment to ensure we only support technologies that help us reach our climate targets, and establish a level playing field with renewable hydrogen," said Arthur Daemers, policy manager at the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition.

Click for more news covering the latest on Hydrogen