Hydrogen Reality Check: All “Clean Hydrogen” Is Not Equally Clean
Hydrogen’s overall emissions can vary substantially between and within each production pathway.
The Myth: The whole rainbow of hydrogen — from green to blue and beyond — can be considered “clean,” with the exception of producing grey, brown, or black hydrogen from fossil fuels. (For more, see “Clean Energy 101: The Colors of Hydrogen.”)
The Reality: Every form of hydrogen production has different emissions risks. Producing hydrogen from renewable electricity is the most straightforward way to ensure emissions are near zero, but all methods of production will require additional regulations to meet the mark. Supply chains must be strictly managed with a cradle-to-gate view on emissions to maximize hydrogen’s climate benefits.
The term “clean hydrogen” has no…