India proposes global standards for low-carbon hydrogen at G20

25 May 2023 CW Team

India recently put forward a proposal for discussing global standards regarding "green, clean, and low carbon" hydrogen at the G20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting held last week. The proposal suggests an emission limit of up to 2 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen produced.

Initially, the proposal focused only on "green hydrogen," but after suggestions from member countries, the consideration for "clean and low carbon" hydrogen was included as well, according to insiders familiar with the matter. India's draft of the "G20 High-Level Principles on Hydrogen" establishes the carbon emissions standard specifically "at the sight of production." This means that emissions associated with distribution to end users and the overall lifecycle greenhouse emissions are not encompassed in the proposed standard.

During the third phase of the meeting, discussions took place on the definition of "green hydrogen" and the potential inclusion of references to "clean" or "low carbon." These details will be further deliberated in upcoming online meetings, with the aim of reaching a consensus before the final gathering in July.

In the discussions held last week, some countries expressed the desire to include nuclear, hydro, and other low carbon energy sources for producing hydrogen. India's own National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January, defines green hydrogen as hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources. The mission presents an opportunity for India to become a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen, utilising the country's abundant solar and other renewable resources.

Reaching a consensus on the definition of green hydrogen is crucial as the world progresses towards achieving net-zero emissions. The international trade of green, clean, or low-carbon hydrogen is expected to increase in the coming years. In a 2019 report, the International Energy Agency emphasised the potential significance of shipping hydrogen between countries in establishing a secure, resilient, competitive, and sustainable energy system.

Various countries have already set their own standards for hydrogen emissions. The European Commission has established an allowable emission cap of 3.4 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen produced and distributed. Meanwhile, the UK has defined "low carbon" hydrogen as emitting no more than 2.4 kg of CO2 per kg of hydrogen produced, but this does not include the fuel's distribution to end users. The US Department of Energy's definition of "clean hydrogen" initially set the carbon intensity limit at 2 kg of carbon dioxide-equivalent at the site of production per kilogram of hydrogen produced. However, this was later expanded to up to 4 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen when accounting for lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

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India recently put forward a proposal for discussing global standards regarding green, clean, and low carbon hydrogen at the G20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting held last week. The proposal suggests an emission limit of up to 2 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen produced. Initially, the proposal focused only on green hydrogen, but after suggestions from member countries, the consideration for clean and low carbon hydrogen was included as well, according to insiders familiar with the matter. India's draft of the G20 High-Level Principles on Hydrogen establishes the carbon emissions standard specifically at the sight of production. This means that emissions associated with distribution to end users and the overall lifecycle greenhouse emissions are not encompassed in the proposed standard. During the third phase of the meeting, discussions took place on the definition of green hydrogen and the potential inclusion of references to clean or low carbon. These details will be further deliberated in upcoming online meetings, with the aim of reaching a consensus before the final gathering in July. In the discussions held last week, some countries expressed the desire to include nuclear, hydro, and other low carbon energy sources for producing hydrogen. India's own National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January, defines green hydrogen as hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources. The mission presents an opportunity for India to become a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen, utilising the country's abundant solar and other renewable resources. Reaching a consensus on the definition of green hydrogen is crucial as the world progresses towards achieving net-zero emissions. The international trade of green, clean, or low-carbon hydrogen is expected to increase in the coming years. In a 2019 report, the International Energy Agency emphasised the potential significance of shipping hydrogen between countries in establishing a secure, resilient, competitive, and sustainable energy system. Various countries have already set their own standards for hydrogen emissions. The European Commission has established an allowable emission cap of 3.4 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen produced and distributed. Meanwhile, the UK has defined low carbon hydrogen as emitting no more than 2.4 kg of CO2 per kg of hydrogen produced, but this does not include the fuel's distribution to end users. The US Department of Energy's definition of clean hydrogen initially set the carbon intensity limit at 2 kg of carbon dioxide-equivalent at the site of production per kilogram of hydrogen produced. However, this was later expanded to up to 4 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen when accounting for lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Also Read Reliance Power offers Rs 1,200 cr cash settlement to VIPL Lenders Kalpataru Power Transmission rebrands as Kalpataru Projects

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