Integrating Hydrogen Emissions Into the EU Policy Framework

Why hydrogen emissions matter, when they will become significant, and how the EU can tackle them

Publication: Report
Citation: Piria, Raffaele, and Eike Karola Velten: Integrating hydrogen emissions into the EU policy framework. Ecologic Institute, Berlin, 2025. Available at: https://www.ecologic.eu/19988.

While hydrogen (H2) emissions make up a negligible fraction of today's GHG emissions, they are set to become more significant in the 2030s and, should the EU and the global community progress towards climate neutrality, will likely be substantial in the 2040s, as achieving climate neutrality requires the expansion of hydrogen use alongside the rapid reduction of other GHGs.

As decisions made today will shape hydrogen value chains for decades, this paper develops a series of policy proposals to implement a four-pronged strategy:

Limit the use of hydrogen and its derivates to beneficial applications
Establish hydrogen emission reporting systems and target setting
Reduce the hydrogen emissions intensity of processes and equipment
Research and technological development

While this report focuses on strategies to prevent and mitigate H2 emissions, it is also crucial to recognise the importance and urgency of limiting methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with hydrogen value chains. Until fossil-based hydrogen production is reduced to well below 10% of overall hydrogen production, – a significant drop from the current level of clearly more than 95% – CO2 and CH4 emissions will remain the primary driver of climate impact in H2 value chains.

Penalties and Selected Legal Issues

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 3

Year 2024

Publication:Report

The EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER) is crucial for reducing methane (CH4) emissions from the energy sector, thereby enhancing our chances at achieving the climate targets. This paper discusses the respective roles of the responsible ministries (RM) and the competent authorities (CA) and examines how the CA's tasks can be allocated to various pre-existing agencies at the national or regional level. Additionally, the working paper discusses the importance of political autonomy for CA and how MS can prevent undue influence.

Governance at the National Level: Responsible ministries and competent authorities

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 2

Year 2024

Publication:Report

The EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER) is crucial for reducing methane emissions from the energy sector, thereby enhancing our chances at achieving the climate targets. This paper describes the tasks of the Member States' responsible ministries and competent authorities, analyses the resources they will need to accomplish them, and provides recommendations for effective planning.

Tasks and Resources Needed at the National Level

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation Working Paper N° 1

Year 2024

News

Three working papers aim to support the responsible ministries and competent authorities of EU Member States in implementing the EU Methane Emission Regulation (EU-MER), expected to enter into force in July 2024.

Implementing the EU Methane Regulation

Series of working papers on the implementation of the EU-at the national level MER published

19 June 2024

Project

This project identifies and develops EU policy opportunities to mitigate methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) emissions from the energy sector.

EU Policies to Reduce CH4 and H2 Emissions from the Energy Sector

Aug 2023 - Sep 2024

Language: English
Authorship: Raffaele Piria

Eike Karola Velten
Credits: We thank our colleagues Arne Riedel, Ralph Bodle, Aleksandra Lempp, Anna Mansilla Urban and Gordian Kerner for intellectual contribution, inspiration and support.
Funding: Stichting Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDF Europe), Netherlands
Published by: Ecologic Institute, Germany
Year: 2025
Dimension: 24 pp.
Project: EU Policies to Reduce CH4 and H2 Emissions from the Energy Sector
Project ID: 50148

50155
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1    Why we must care about hydrogen emissions

2    How can the EU address hydrogen emissions

2.1    Limit hydrogen use to beneficial applications
2.1.1    Priority hydrogen applications
2.1.2    Non-beneficial hydrogen applications
2.1.3    Focus the EU Hydrogen Strategy on priority applications
2.1.4    Adjusting individual policies

2.2    Establish H2 emissions reporting systems and target setting
2.2.1    Classifying hydrogen as a precursor gas in the UNFCCC reporting framework
2.2.2    H2 emission monitoring and reporting systems in the EU

2.3    Reduce the H2 emissions intensity of processes and equipment
2.3.1    Upstream hydrogen emissions
2.3.2    Midstream hydrogen emissions
2.3.3    Downstream hydrogen emissions

2.4    Research and technological development
2.4.1    Key RTD topics on hydrogen’s role as an indirect GHG
2.4.2    Key RTD topics on technologies to detect hydrogen leakages
2.4.3    Opportunities in Horizon Europe and its successor programme
Keywords: Climate

Energy

EU

Hydrogen greenhouse gas , EU policies, emissions

Europe

Further Links

NewsImplementing the EU Methane Regulation

PublicationReportTasks and Resources Needed at the National Level

Ecologic Institute

Piria, Raffaele, Ramiro de la Vega, Leon Martini and Eike Karola Velten 2024: Implementing the EU Methane Regulation, Working paper N° 1. Tasks and resources needed at the national level. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. Available at: https://www.ecologic.eu/19718

PublicationReportGovernance at the National Level: Responsible ministries and competent authorities

CC BY 4.0 Ecologic Institute 2024

Piria, Raffaele, Leon Martini 2024: Implementing the EU Methane Regulation, Working paper N° 2. Governance at the national level: responsible ministries and competent authorities. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. Available at: https://www.ecologic.eu/19719

PublicationReportPenalties and Selected Legal Issues

Piria, Raffaele, Stephan Sina and Lina-Marie Dück 2024: Implementing the EU Methane Regulation, Working paper N° 3. Penalties and selected legal issues. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. Available at: https://www.ecologic.eu/19720