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Don’t weaken sustainability criteria for green hydrogen, renewable groups tell Commission
(EurActiv, 1 Apr 2021) Europe should support high sustainability standards for clean hydrogen in its green finance rules, argue a group of 24 renewable energy companies and industry bodies in a letter sent to the European Commission on Wednesday (31 March).
The letter, an initiative of the geothermal energy lobby group EGEC, comes as the Commission finalises criteria for hydrogen production as part of implementing rules to be tabled this month under the EU’s sustainable finance taxonomy.
Technologies that meet the thresholds laid out in the rulebook will qualify for a green investment label under the taxonomy.
And, according to the letter, only renewable hydrogen should be awarded the prized green label – not the other types made from nuclear or fossil gas with carbon capture technology.
“Renewable hydrogen produced from 100% renewable electricity sources can play a strategic role in decarbonising those sectors of our economy that are hard-to-electrify,” the letter says. As such, it can help achieve “the last mile” in tackling emissions from energy use in sectors like steel and chemicals, it adds.
EurActiv, 1 Apr 2021: Don’t weaken sustainability criteria for green hydrogen, renewable groups tell Commission
