More than 20 countries, led by Japan, have committed to tripling current annual production of low-emission hydrogen to 90 million tonnes by 2030.
The Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo was the setting for the agreement between countries like the United States, Australia, and Germany.
Hydrogen is considered a promising green fuel that will play a significant role in decarbonizing sectors currently dependent on coal, gas, and oil. It’s also essential if Japan is going to reach its target of zero net emissions by the year 2050.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that 95 million tonnes of blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas but eliminating emissions by capturing and storing the emitted carbon) and green hydrogen (extracted from water using electrolysis powered by renewable energy) per year are needed between now and 2050 to achieve its net zero scenario. The global goal is to produce 90 million tonnes of blue hydrogen and green hydrogen each year by 2030.
From its current level of around 2 million tonnes per year, Japan plans to increase its hydrogen supply (including imports) to 3 million tonnes by the year 2030.