The National Hydrogen Council (NWR – Nationale Wasserstoffrat) has addressed central issues for the further development of the hydrogen economy in three new position papers: The European Clean Industrial Deal, Certification Criteria for Low-CO₂ Hydrogen, and The Requirements for Energy Carriers in Transport when Implementing the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) into National Law. With clear recommendations, the NWR aims to actively shape the political and economic framework for a climate-neutral industry and a sustainable transport sector.
Clean Industrial Deal: A central step towards the decarbonisation of industry
The NWR supports the EU initiative to expand the ‘European Green Deal’ with a ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ that aims to promote the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries and strengthen their competitiveness. Particular importance is attached to the development of a Europe-wide hydrogen infrastructure to efficiently supply industrial centres with renewable hydrogen. In addition to simplified regulatory frameworks, the NWR recommends the introduction of lead markets for climate-friendly technologies and an adjustment of public procurement to favour low-emission products.
Certification Criteria for Low-CO₂ Hydrogen: Creating Reliability for the Market
In a further statement, the NWR addresses the planned EU regulation for the certification of low-CO2 hydrogen. The draft methodology for calculating the greenhouse gas savings of low-carbon hydrogen presented regulates further production routes for hydrogen. Although these do not meet the relatively strict requirements for renewable hydrogen, they can still make significant contributions to reducing emissions. The certification criteria must be internationally compatible and practical. The NWR sees potential for improvement in the submitted draft with regard to a more flexible assessment of the CO2 load of grid electricity, the use of project-specific data for upstream-chain emissions, for example with regard to methane leakage, and the possibility of concluding power purchase agreements (PPA) for low-carbon electricity.
Implementing the RED in National Law: Clear Guidelines for the Transport Sector
The NWR emphasises the need for ambitious targets and measures to implement the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) into German law. The new EU targets, including a target share of 29% renewable energies in transport by 2030, require adjustments to the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG – Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz) and the Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV – Bundes-Immissionsschutzverordnung). The NWR makes three key recommendations in this regard:
- Ambitious overall quota: The GHG reduction quota should be increased to 35% or its scope should be extended to shipping and aviation in order to safeguard investments and climate targets.
- Expansion of renewable fuels of non-biogenic origin: The quota should be increased to 5% and secured by means of certificate trading and sanctions.
- Long-term market incentives: Multiple counting for electricity and RFNBO should be guaranteed until 2035 to create investment security and build market structures.
Ambitious GHG quotas and an annual correction process should ensure the stability of the pricing system and pave the way to climate neutrality in the transport sector by 2045.
With these three statements, the NWR is underscoring its role as a driving force behind a successful transformation to a climate-neutral economy and a sustainable energy system.
The full statements are available for download here on the National Hydrogen Council website.