The climate neutrality targets adopted by an increasing number of countries imply the full decarbonization of the entire economy, including the hard-to-abate sectors (such as aviation, long distance shipping, steel, glass, fertilizers and other chemicals) where green hydrogen (GH₂) or green hydrogen-based PtX products, such as ammonia, methanol or synthetic hydrocarbons, represent one - or even the only - economically competitive solution.

A crucial prerequisite for their market uptake at the global level are reliable certification systems based on international standard that are widely accepted and interoperable, while staying sufficiently ambitious. The cornerstone of an internationally interoperable GH₂/PtX standard and certification regime must be the GHG accounting methodology on the basis of which GHG emission thresholds can be established and implemented. The GHG accounting methodology should cover the entire value chain, including production, transport and storage of GH₂ and the PtX products.

Further elements of the standard and certification regime might include the definition of (un)desirable energy sources, standards for the CO₂ sources for PtX products requiring a CO₂ input and the consideration of further environmental (e.g. water, biodiversity), economic, social and/or governance-related criteria.

In collaboration with the International PtX Hub, we analyze the emerging EU and international regime in this field, and develop recommendations on GHG accounting and the sustainability of PtX. In a series of bilateral online workshops, we provide advice to policy makers and other stakeholders from Chile, Colombia, India, Jordan and other countries of the MENA region, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay and Vietnam.