Thread by @e3g

Our new report – Between hope and hype: a hydrogen vision for the UK – unpacks the offer of #hydrogen, examining where it does and does not add value for #climate, jobs, and levelling up. Ahead of the Hydrogen Strategy, it sets expectations for UK Gov. ⬇️
e3g.org/publications/b…

The UK must focus on #GreenHydrogen for climate leadership – fossil-based ‘blue’ hydrogen is not zero emissions and should not be classed as ‘low carbon’. Public funds and support should only be used to develop zero emissions fuel & technologies. [2/9]

Scaling green hydrogen requires parallel rapid growth in renewable energy – tapping offshore wind potential – as well as electrification, efficiency & circular economy. These measures should be central to any zero-emissions strategy, regardless of the role of hydrogen. [3/9]

The UK should set out a vision identifying where green hydrogen will add most value – focused on sectors that don't have alternative #decarbonisation options & regions with access to abundant renewables such as North Seas wind. This in turn supports the levelling up agenda. [4/9]

Governance mechanisms are needed for risk-managing delivery & avoiding a ‘lock in’ of fossil fuel derived energy sources. These should ensure a phase-out, and could include clear timelines and targets, transparency and accountability mechanism. [5/9]

Hydrogen pipelines should be built around secure hydrogen demand & supply, not the question of how gas assets can be kept functioning. Future hydrogen grid will likely cluster around industrial end users. Nationwide ‘blending’ of fossil gas & hydrogen is not appropriate. [6/9]

To decarbonise heat in buildings, UK should focus on rapid gains in energy efficiency, heat pumps & #renewable heat networks. A growing body of evidence suggests green hydrogen for heating is likely to only play a small role in industrial clusters where there is a surplus. [7/9]

A large focus on jobs, skills & supply chains is required to ensure a #JustTransition and support the “levelling up” agenda. UK must focus on new green skills & jobs to address transition risks as the country phases out fossil gas, engaging closely with workers and unions. [8/9]

The UK Government must promote evidence-based and society-wide decision making. This requires including all sectors of society in decision making & advisory bodies such as the Hydrogen Advisory Council, and rooting choices in independent science. [9/9]