In a joint letter, they argued that the definition must have “concrete and measurable elements”. This will avoid undermining the market for hydrogen produced fully from renewable energy, and remove “loopholes and carbon lock-ins”.
Low-carbon hydrogen is a wide category that includes hydrogen produced from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS) or any electricity, as well as “green” hydrogen produced from renewables like wind and solar power via electrolysis.
In December 2023, the European Parliament and Council agreed on building blocks to define low-carbon hydrogen. Nine organisations have now joined the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition in urging policymakers to consult widely on a Delegated Act that will set out that definition.
The group wants a clear definition of hydrogen production pathways, including for hydrogen derived from renewable electricity that partially complies with existing rules on using biofuels.
The letter calls for an assessment of full lifecycle climate warming emissions and “genuine emissions reduction” of at least 70%. CCS calculations should be based on actual capture and sequestration data, with independent monitoring, it says.
The letter wants the Delegated Act to include a clause ensuring that low-carbon hydrogen made from fossil gas using steam methane reforming is only made from existing gas production capacity, not new gas sources.
In addition, the group calls for a requirement that carbon offsetting comply with the low-carbon hydrogen emissions reduction threshold (currently at least 70%).
“Offsetting schemes can prove unreliable and it is essential to ensure emission reductions are achieved in the actual production of hydrogen,” the letter warned.
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