Bridging the Gap: Certification Schemes for Sustainable Hydrogen in Global Trade

Hydrogen has the potential to contribute to international decarbonisation targets only if it is produced with low greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional hydrogen colour coding falls short in quantifying the emissions impacts of different types of hydrogen, highlighting the need for certification to differentiate hydrogen based on its environmental credentials. This article examines hydrogen certification schemes that track and trace sustainability attributes throughout the value chain and identifies the regulatory barriers to hydrogen certification schemes. It first describes the current hydrogen terminology, the varying approaches to hydrogen trading across jurisdictions, and the role of sustainability certification schemes, drawing on lessons learned from other sectors. It then analyses the key operational and technical elements used in the design of certification schemes and compares them with the regulatory framework established by the European Union, which serves as a case study. Finally, the article discusses the challenges of developing a globally accepted hydrogen certification scheme and identifies potential barriers to the development of an international hydrogen market.