EU Hydrogen Strategy needs a fundamental reset

IOGP Europe welcomes the European Commission’s commitment to revisiting the EU Hydrogen Strategy, following the European Court of Auditors’ call for a revision. In this position paper, IOGP Europe outlines the gaps in the current framework and provides 10 targeted policy recommendations to help the EU meet its hydrogen ambitions while preserving industrial competitiveness.

Key points include:

• The current legislative framework falls short of meeting the 2030 hydrogen targets, hindered by high production costs, underdeveloped infrastructure, and technology bias.
• The EU should adopt a more pragmatic and technology-neutral approach to producing and importing hydrogen.
• The definition of “clean hydrogen” should be broaden to include not just renewable, all forms of hydrogen produced with less than 70%life-cycle emissions, as defined under Directive (EU) 2024/1788.
• The current legislative framework fails to deliver on the 2030 targets due to high production costs, lack of infrastructure, and technology bias.
• To unlock hydrogen’s full potential in delivering clean and affordable volumes at scale, the EU must ensure:
  • Technology-neutrality in policy and funding instruments,
  • Market-based incentives for low-carbon products
  • Accelerated development and repurposing of hydrogen infrastructure across the value chain.
  • Adopt an open trade policy that strengthens Clean Trade and Investment partnerships with reliable external hydrogen suppliers

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