12.1.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 15/61 Wednesday 19 May 2021
8.
Believes that the classification of the different forms of hydrogen should be determined according to an independent, science-based assessment, stepping away from the commonly used colour-based approach; is of the opinion that this classification should be based on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions throughout hydrogen’s entire production and transport process, but should also take into account transparent and robust sustainability criteria in line with the principles of the circular economy and be based on averages and standard values per category, such as the objectives of sustainable use and the protection of resources, the handling of waste and the increased use of raw and secondary materials, pollution prevention and control, and finally, the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems;
9.
Notes that there is a discrepancy between different definitions of clean hydrogen used by different actors, such as the Commission and the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, which creates confusion and should be avoided; stresses, in that regard, that the distinction between renewable and low-carbon hydrogen must be made absolutely clear (17); notes, in addition, that avoiding using two names for the same category of hydrogen, namely ‘renewable’ and ‘clean’, as proposed by the Commission, would provide further clarification, and underlines, in that regard, that the term ‘renewable hydrogen’ is the most objective and science-based option for that category of hydrogen;
10.
Underlines the urgent need for EU and international standards and certification; further notes that guarantees of origin aligned with national registries should be considered to ensure that renewable hydrogen can be ramped up in a timely manner and that consumers can choose sustainable solutions consciously and minimise the risk of stranded investments;
11.
Stresses that the standardisation system needs to be based on a holistic approach and must be applicable to imported hydrogen; calls on the Commission to introduce a regulatory framework with robust and transparent sustainability criteria for the certification and tracking of hydrogen in the EU, taking into account its greenhouse gas footprint throughout the value chain, including transport, in order to also trigger investment in sufficient supplementary renewable electricity generation; also calls on the Commission to provide, as early as possible in 2021, a regulatory framework for hydrogen that ensures standardisation, certification, guarantees of origin, labelling and tradability across Member States, and to also use the upcoming revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to examine what changes are needed to unlock the full potential of hydrogen to contribute to the EU’s climate goals, taking into account the risks of carbon leakage;
12.
Underlines that the classification of different types of hydrogen would inter alia serve the purpose of providing consumers with information and is not meant to stall the expansion of hydrogen in general; notes that the current system of guarantees of origin for renewable electricity has not so far triggered adequate investment in additional capacity; stresses, therefore, the importance of further developing guidelines on conditions and criteria, in order to avoid double counting of renewable capacities;
13.
Is strongly convinced that public acceptance is key to the successful creation of a hydrogen economy; stresses, therefore, the importance of public and stakeholder involvement, EU safety and technical standards for hydrogen, and high-quality hydrogen solutions respecting those standards; furthermore highlights that safety protocols in demand sectors need to be updated continuously with regard to hydrogen use; asks, therefore, that best-practice examples and a hydrogen safety culture be promoted throughout the EU;
Ramping up hydrogen production
14.
Highlights that in order to ensure the internal hydrogen market functions well and predictably, regulatory barriers need to be overcome and a coherent, integrated and comprehensive regulatory framework for a hydrogen market should be swiftly proposed by the Commission, which should be aligned with other relevant legislation, and fully respect the
(17)
According to the Commission, ‘low-carbon hydrogen’ encompasses fossil-based hydrogen with carbon capture and electricity-based hydrogen, with significantly reduced full life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to hydrogen produced using existing methods.