EU leaders should not rush to revamp green-hydrogen rules

Nature

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

EU leaders are facing growing pressure to revise their green-hydrogen regulations as critics argue that current rules are hindering the technology's scale-up. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, joined other EU policymakers and industry representatives in questioning the bloc's strict requirements for sustainable hydrogen production. These rules, which require green-hydrogen plants to be powered by new renewable-energy sources and located close to energy generation sites, were implemented less than three years ago but are now being scrutinized for delays in project development. While some policymakers and industry leaders suggest that these regulations are overly restrictive, others argue that they may actually promote sustainable practices. The EU's rules aim to ensure that green hydrogen is produced without relying on fossil fuels, which aligns with broader climate goals. However, the current challenges—such as supply-chain disruptions and rising costs—are complicating the scaling up of production, according to researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The delays in green-hydrogen projects are significant because hydrogen is a critical component of industries like fertilizer manufacturing and petroleum refining. A study by Adrian Odenweller and Falko Ueckerdt found that only 7% of planned green-hydrogen projects globally had begun operations as scheduled, with many facing cancellations or delays. While some attribute these issues to the EU's regulations, others point to broader factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges. The scientific community emphasizes the importance of understanding the full impact of policy changes before rushing to alter existing rules. Hydrogen itself is not a greenhouse gas, but its indirect contribution to global warming through atmospheric reactions cannot be ignored. Rising hydrogen concentrations have already contributed to a 0.02°C increase in global surface air temperatures

Verticals

scienceresearch

Originally published on Nature on 2/26/2026