Thread by @MLiebreich

If you really want to know about blue hydrogen, whether it is inevitably incompatible with net zero or whether it is within the laws of physics and engineering - and the wit of humans - to do it right, here's a new paper, written by 16 researchers. 1/4
chemrxiv.org/engage/api-gat…

It says "our main conclusion is that, if the above requirements [limits on CO2 and methane emissions] are met, blue hydrogen can be close to green hydrogen in terms of impacts on climate change and can thus play an important and complementary role" on the road to net zero. 2/4

In fact, the new paper says almost exactly what I was saying before #bluehydrogengate blew up: "I've got nothing against blue hydrogen, as long as there are no fugitive [methane] emissions and [it has] 100% capture, or high-90s per cent capture.” 3/4
rechargenews.com/energy-transit…

Please note, none of this makes me a blue hydrogen booster. In fact, I am as cynical as anyone about oil and gas companies (see below, from 2015). But we have to have fact-based debate and society has to decide whether and how to reign in polluters. 4/4 about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich…

Oh, and on that note, the "Global Methane Pledge" being proposed by the EU and US for a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 is wholly inadequate. Developed countries should be pledging 70% by 2030, and developing countries should be pledging 30%. 5/4.
politico.eu/article/us-eu-…

And while I've got you, if you really want to know how the Paris Agreement happened, and how #COP26 in Glasgow aims to build on it, please listen to this extraordinary conversation with one of the real architects of the Agreement, @LaurenceTubiana:
cleaningup.live/ep-54-laurence…