Strengthening Sustainability Governance for a Rapid Hydrogen Ramp-Up

To mobilize investment in the hydrogen sector, it is essential to harness its economic benefits across the value chain, while effectively identifying and managing associated risks. A comprehensive review of the sustainability governance landscape in the hydrogen sector shows that many elements to address sustainability-related challenges are already in place in the European Union. Strengthening sustainability governance in the hydrogen sector, therefore, does not require a host of new instruments or mechanisms. Rather, it requires measures to facilitate its effective and streamlined implementation. This will not only ensure that sustainability requirements are upheld but also strengthen the ability of project developers to comply with pre-existing requirements and support their cost-effective implementation. This policy paper proposes four specific measures at the international and EU-level that will not only make the governance architecture more effective in supporting sustainability goals but also strengthen capacities along the value chain to comply with already existing requirements.