COP28 Presidency marks the launch of flagship initiatives to unlock the climate and socio-economic benefits of hydrogen

DUBAI, UAE, December 5, 2023 – Today, at COP28 a suite of flagship initiatives has been launched to accelerate commercialisation of hydrogen to keep the 1.5 Degrees target within reach and to unlock the socio-economic benefits of cross-border value chains for hydrogen and its derivatives, featuring

Intergovernmental Declaration of Intent on Mutual Recognition of Certification Schemes for Hydrogen and Hydrogen Derivatives covering over 80% of the future global market in hydrogen and its derivatives.
ISO methodology providing a global benchmark for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessment of hydrogen pathways on a life-cycle analysis basis.
Public-Private Action Statement on cross-border trade corridors in hydrogen and derivatives in partnership with the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) and the Hydrogen Council

These flagship outcomes were launched at the COP28 Presidency’s High-Level Roundtable on Hydrogen and the inaugural IHTF roundtable joined by over two dozen of Ministerial officials of the prospective hydrogen importing and exporting countries (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, the UK, and the US) as well as a delegation of the Hydrogen Council CEOs representing the global industrial leaders in hydrogen (Air Liquide, Air Products, Baker Hughes, Chart Industries, Hy24, InterContinental Energy, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Linde, Masdar, Next Era Energy Resources, OCI, Port of Rotterdam Authority, Snam, Topsoe, and thyssenkrupp nucera).

The High-Level Roundtable featured addresses from United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), International Energy Agency (IEA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE).

december 5 energy, industry and just transition, indigenous peoples — DECEMBER 5: Group photo of speakers at the High level Roundtable on Hydrogen during the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 at Expo City Dubai on December 5, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by COP28 / Stuart Wilson)

“Today is a very important day for low-emissions hydrogen. The flagship initiative that the COP28 Presidency has presented can be a vital catalyst for accelerating clean energy transitions. I warmly welcome the Public-Private Action Statement, which builds on the collaborative efforts of the IEA, the co-chairs of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum, UNIDO and the Hydrogen Council. The IEA will continue to support governments around the world in leveraging the economic, energy security and climate opportunities offered by low-emissions hydrogen.”
Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA)

“I would like to congratulate the COP28 Presidency on the work carried to advance low carbon hydrogen as the fuel of the future. The Declaration of Intent on Mutual Recognition of Certification Schemes for Hydrogen and Derivatives and the launch of the ISO methodology for greenhouse gas emissions assessment of hydrogen (Technical Specification, TS 19870) will certainly contribute to that end. UNIDO actively supports the COP28 Hydrogen Action Agenda and the initiatives of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum through the Private Public Action Statement. A just low carbon hydrogen transition needs all of us to work together, share our knowledge and resources. I look forward to this dialogue that will help us move forward for a more sustainable future that leaves no country behind.”
Gerd Müller, UNIDO Director General

“The Clean Energy Ministerial was designed to build and foster partnerships, and bring together key stakeholders towards the common goal of accelerating clean energy deployment. Public private partnerships are at the heart of that collaboration. We welcome this Public Private Action Statement launched at COP28 and see it as a critical milestone in raising the ambition to fast track the deployment of clean hydrogen.”
Jean-François Gagné, Head of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Secretariat

“COP28 High-Level Roundtable on Hydrogen marks the public launch of the methodology for GHG emissions assessment of hydrogen supply chain developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This is a truly international methodology for assessing the GHG footprint of hydrogen from well to consumption gate including every delivery gate on a life cycle analysis basis”
Ulrika Francke, ISO President

“These flagship initiatives are an important step in strengthening the political commitment to ongoing global cooperation on developing practical solutions for mutual recognition of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives certification schemes, based on a robust ISO methodology and a robust platform for technical collaboration coordinated by IPHE and the Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Program (TCP)”
Laurent Antoni, Executive Director of IPHE

“It was my pleasure to endorse the COP28 hydrogen outcomes as the Hydrogen Council Co-Chairs. In line with the Public-Private Action Statement launched at COP28, we will foster the technological and infrastructural solutions necessary to supply the world with sustainable, safe, stable and affordable hydrogen energy.”
Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and Hydrogen Council Co-Chair

“Through collaborating across borders, and between public and private sector organizations, we help create the right framework for a global hydrogen economy. It will be the foundation for scaling up the clean hydrogen value chain and creating opportunities to accelerate decarbonization and the energy transition.”
Sanjiv Lamba, CEO of Linde plc and Hydrogen Council Co-Chair