News

VIENNA – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has published the first edition of Green Hydrogen Industrial Clusters Guidelines to help governments and industries accelerate industrial decarbonization by replacing fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors.Nearly all countries have committed to decarbonize their economies in the coming decades in line with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The industrial sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore plays a critical role in meeting these ambitious goals. Renewable or green hydrogen, produced via water electrolysis using renewable electricity, is an essential element of the clean energy transition, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.UNIDO defines green hydrogen industrial clusters (GHIC) as industrial regions or clusters that share green hydrogen (production, transport and use) and renewable energy electricity, in addition to other resources for different purposes including material production, heating and cooling, local mobility and industrial feedstock. These clusters have a great potential to accelerate the uptake of green hydrogen in local industry, supporting decarbonization and the development of new low-carbon industries.UNIDO has developed a model for GHIC that aims to accelerate the application of locally produced green hydrogen in industrial zones, clusters and parks. It aims to serve as a replicable model through which countries can deploy green hydrogen technologies to achieve their emissions reductions and industrial production goals, as well as generate economic and social opportunities.Green Hydrogen Industrial Clusters Guidelines provides information on the multi-stakeholder engagement and coordination required for the design and implementation of an overarching policy framework for the development of the clusters.Gerd Müller, UNIDO Director General, said he hopes that the guidelines “will be useful for policymakers, industry leaders and other stakeholders as we work together to achieve the goal of sustainable and inclusive industrial development, and create a better future for all.”Matteo Michelli from Deutsche Energie-Agentur – dena (German Energy Agency), who contributed to publication, said, "In the realm of green hydrogen reports, this work stands out, combining both a deep-dive and an actionable guide. This is achieved by first providing a comprehensive list of challenges and enablers for using green hydrogen in industrial clusters and then identifying concrete steps to bring green hydrogen industrial clusters from an idea to implementation and upscaling."Another contributor, Sabina Krøigaard from Denmark’s GreenLab, said, "Until now, creating a green hydrogen industrial cluster has been the work of pioneers spread across the globe. This publication offers inspiration and concrete tools for moving forward and empowers curious entrepreneurs to take action."Also contributing to Green Hydrogen Industrial Clusters Guidelines were authors from Future Cleantech Architects, Impact Hydrogen and New Energy Coalition.UNIDO supports Member States in developing green hydrogen economies through project development, stakeholder engagement and dialogue, and by offering best practices and guidelines as part of its Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry.Download the publication here.For more information, contact: [email protected] UNIDO’s work on green hydrogen on Twitter and Linkedin

GOA - A truly global hydrogen economy will play a key role in supporting sustainable economic growth in emerging markets and transition economies and facilitating supply diversification for importing regions while accelerating decarbonisation. As we move from strategies and announcements to implementation on the ground, UNIDO and Hydrogen Council advance close cooperation to help unlocking environmental and socio-economic benefits of renewable hydrogen and derivatives internationally.UNIDO and Hydrogen Council signed a Joint Declaration on 18 July on the side-lines of G20/CEM14 in Goa, India, reinforcing ongoing strong collaboration, in particular, on   Advancing public-private dialogue between decision-makers and CEOs in the framework of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum and support the Forum activities, including with the Hydrogen Council insights;Assessing and identifying best practices in maximizing social value of the hydrogen economy in the emerging markets and developing countries, through the SDG Roadmap for Hydrogen;Supporting the development of global standards for hydrogen, in particular, ISO standard methodology for GHG emissions assessment of hydrogen production, conditioning and transport developed by ISO TC197/SC1, as well as capacity building for developing countries to enhance their contributions to and participation in global standard development.“Low-emissions hydrogen will help drive net-zero economic development in the Global South. Cooperating with the private sector is key, and we are confident that through our partnership with the Hydrogen Council we are well equipped to respond to any challenges involved. Together we will develop tangible projects that contribute to a just energy transition leaving no country behind<" said Gerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO.“Creating in-country value and boosting green growth in prospective exporting regions in developing countries is crucial for both the industry and the importing regions seeking to diversify their supplies in hydrogen and derivatives going forward. Unlocking social value of hydrogen is integral to the organisational identities of the Hydrogen Council and UNIDO and we are excited to be moving ahead with implementation of a number of joint initiatives,” said Daryl Wilson, Executive Director of Hydrogen Council.About UNIDOThe United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate sustainable industrial development. The mandate of UNIDO is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, but UNIDO’s activities contribute to all the SDGs.  UNIDO's mission is to drive economic growth, reduce inequality, and address climate challenges by supporting developing countries and economies in transition in achieving sustainable industrial development and economic transformation, and to create new, decent jobs.For more information about UNIDO, please visit www.unido.org and follow us on:Twitter @UNIDO  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram  Flickr  YouTubeAbout the Hydrogen CouncilThe Hydrogen Council is a global CEO-led initiative that brings together leading companies with a united vision and long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the clean energy transition.The Council understands that hydrogen has a key role to play in reaching global decarbonization goals by helping to diversify energy sources worldwide, to foster business and technological innovation as drivers for long-term economic growth, and to decarbonize especially hard-to-abate industrial sectors.To find out more visit www.hydrogencouncil.com and follow us on Twitter @HydrogenCouncil and LinkedIn.Media EnquiriesFor more information, please contact UNIDO at [email protected] and/or the Hydrogen Council at [email protected].  

Goa, India - On July 22, 2023, during the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM14) Meeting, a historic joint declaration was established by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and the European Commission on behalf of the European Union. These governments have united under the CEM’s flag with one aim: to accelerate international hydrogen trade. This significant milestone was marked by the launch of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF), which will provide a unique platform to foster the dialogue between a wide group of governments on the nascent international hydrogen market.The governments acknowledge the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the challenges of climate change, aligning their efforts with the Paris Agreement. They recognize the vital role that hydrogen will play in shaping the global energy mix and building resilient economies. Furthermore, the governments understand the potential it has in diverse applications to achieve decarbonization, such as heavy transport, industry, power generation, aviation and shipping.Emphasizing the importance of establishing international hydrogen supply chains, also known as “trade corridors,” the governments aim to transport substantial volumes of clean energy from regions with abundant renewable resources and geological CO2 storage potential to areas with limited access. To meet the increasing global demand, they highlight the necessity of accelerating investments across the entire hydrogen value chain.The joint declaration underscores the significance of non-discriminatory market access and participation in international hydrogen trade in the emerging hydrogen market. Global cooperation and coordination are identified as critical elements to share valuable knowledge, experiences, best practices, and promote research, innovation, and demonstration. It is also crucial that any measures taken in the realm of international hydrogen trade conform to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).In pursuit of these objectives, the governments express their collective determination to establish the International Hydrogen Trade Forum as an inter-governmental forum, facilitating collaboration between potential future hydrogen importing and exporting countries, as well as synchronising priority actions of decision-makers and industrial leaders through public-private action plans. The Forum, therefore, aims to accelerate international hydrogen trade, reduce barriers, and foster productive market conditions.Additionally, the governments commit to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging policies and regulations that promote the production, consumption, and trans-border trade of hydrogen as a reliable, clean, and vital solution within the global energy system. They will work on developing and implementing policies to mitigate potential negative impacts associated with the production of hydrogen solely for export.The exchange of knowledge and expertise related to infrastructure development necessary for hydrogen trade among the forum’s member governments will be encouraged. Furthermore, the forum will facilitate the dialogue between hydrogen producers and consumers, building upon existing studies and the work of other relevant organizations, with the aim of recommending necessary political actions.“The UAE is delighted to co-chair the IHTF with the Netherlands, creating a coalition of first-mover governments committed to fostering global trade in hydrogen and derivatives through international cooperation and public-private action. The mission of the IHTF is well-aligned with our National Hydrogen Strategy and the key priorities for COP28 Presidency, including unlocking cross-border hydrogen trade corridors and identifying priority actions for governments and industry to advance from announcements to implementation on the ground,” said H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates.Minister of Climate and Energy Policy, Mr. Rob Jetten from the Netherlands stated “Effective cooperation between governments and companies is essential to get the trade corridors up and running. It is an honor to be initiating this forum together with the United Arab Emirates providing a platform for such an important dialogue between future hydrogen exporting and importing countries. We look very much forward to working in close collaboration with the government members of the forum and expanding to other members that want to participate in this discussion.”UNIDO will act as coordinator of the forum to help unlock the socio-economic and environmental value of international hydrogen trade for a Just Transition, as per UNIDO’s Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry. In its role as coordinator, UNIDO will facilitate the cooperation among the government members, industrial leaders and bring in the perspective and considerations of developing countries and transition economies in line with its mandate. “UNIDO’s commitment to the International Hydrogen Trade Forum aligns well with the objectives of its Global Program for Hydrogen Industry. We see a fitting role for UNIDO to help bridge the gap between countries within the CEM community and those who are not part of the CEM yet”, stated the DG Müller of UNIDO.To maximize efficiency and avoid duplication of efforts, the forum’s members will collaborate with existing complementary organizations such as the World Trade Organisation, Mission Innovation, G20, Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation, International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) and the Hydrogen Council. By doing so, they will add value and minimize redundant initiatives in the pursuit of their shared goals.“Industrial leaders in hydrogen welcome the establishment of the IHTF as a platform for international cooperation on the development of a global market for hydrogen and derivatives. This new platform will help to further facilitate the public-privative dialogue. Hydrogen Council is pleased to collaborate with IHTF on the road to COP28 and beyond to address key challenges and jointly create solutions for unlocking trade corridors for hydrogen and derivatives. Our common goal is to accelerate decarbonisation while supporting just transition” said Hydrogen Council Co-Chairs Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and Sanjiv Lamba, CEO, Linde.The co-leads of the CEM Hydrogen Initiative (CEM-H2I), namely Canada, the European Commission, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States, enthusiastically welcome the establishment of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum as part of the collaborative activities within the framework of the CEM-H2I.The joint declaration was signed by the launching co-leads, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, during the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting in Goa, India on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 15:00 IST.For media inquiries, please contact:Magde NIKOLOVSKA-JILKEProject Assistant - Climate and Technology Partnership Division · [email protected]

BAOTOU - The global transition towards cleaner energy sources has been gaining momentum, and the focus has shifted towards green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative. In this context, the construction of the International Hydrogen Energy Metallurgy and Chemical Demonstration Zone in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable and zero-carbon technologies.The project is led by the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC), supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and hosted by the Beijing Tsinghua Industrial Research and Development Institute (TIDRI) and the Chinese metal manufacturer, the Mintal Group.Ammonia is produced in vast quantities worldwide for agricultural fertilizers. However the traditional production method uses natural gas or other fossil fuels to provide both the hydrogen feedstock and the energy to power the synthesis process. As a result, ammonia production releases almost 1.5% of global CO₂ emissions. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced during the ammonia manufacturing process is therefore critical to achieve net-zero targets by 2050.The best way to reduce carbon emissions when making ammonia is to use green hydrogen, which is hydrogen produced via water electrolysis using renewable electricity.In its first phase, the IHEC project will build a 1.5GW wind power farm to produce green hydrogen for green ammonia synthesis. The first batch of 390,000 tonnes of green ammonia per year is set to be supplied in early 2025.On 15 April, the day before the ground-breaking ceremony marking the start of construction of the industrial zone, nearly 200 representatives of stakeholders from different regions, countries and industries attended the China-Europe Hydrogen Energy Industry Forum in Baotou. At the event, organized by the IHEC, participants discussed the role of hydrogen in the clean energy transition and the potential for cooperation between China and Europe.

TUNIS - More than 80 Tunisian and Austrian stakeholders, with 30 percent of women representation, gathered in a technical workshop on green hydrogen and water-related impacts. The event was co-organized by UNIDO in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Climate Action (BMK) to discuss future collaboration and projects in hydrogen between Tunisia and Austria. As with other European countries with a strong industrial sector, Austria is prepared to invest in cutting-edge and climate-neutral technologies for green steel and chemicals, and to minimize their carbon footprint. Achieving decarbonization objectives require vast quantities of green hydrogen and green electricity, which requires large investments, along with the development of transport infrastructure/trade corridors and collaborative partnerships. Specifics of the Austrian hydrogen strategy and climate commitments were presented by a representative of the BMK. Whereas, the Tunisian strategy, currently under development was introduced by a representative of the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy who stressed challenges, such as water scarcity in Tunisia.Tunisia's strategic geographic location, vast renewable energy potential, and stable political situation are excellent conditions for the country to become a producer of green hydrogen, both for internal and external markets. Green hydrogen production can help decarbonize Tunisian metallurgical, ceramic and glass sectors; and create new sustainable industries such as fertilizers based on green ammonia. It also has the potential to become a catalyst to meet Central Europe's, including Austria's hydrogen needs across industries, transportation, and energy. Participants discussed that the current gas corridor between North Africa and Southern Europe can be repurposed to transport large quantities of cost-competitive green hydrogen from Tunisia through Italy to central Europe, including Austria leveraging existing gas infrastructure.The discussions pointed out that:It is fundamental to take into consideration and understand how green hydrogen can be integrated into the country’s renewable energy portfolio and be deployed in industries. Green hydrogen production should not absorb renewable electricity capacities, thereby, decelerating domestic energy transition.Green hydrogen market development opens new opportunities for developed and developing countries. To succeed, the existing market barriers must be addressed. These include the lack of coordination, skills and competencies, financing and investment mechanisms, policies, and regulations.

VIENNA, 21 November 2022 – During the fiftieth session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Industrial Development Board (IDB), guest speakers addressed representatives of Member States at a special event, Industrial Policy for the Energy Transition.The session focused on two key questions: First, how can industrial policy be used as a tool to maximize the gains from the energy transition and minimize the risks? And second, what sorts of industrial policy cooperation and coordination across countries are necessary to achieve global targets?In his introductory remarks, UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller, who had just returned from the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, declared that a just and clean energy transition is an imperative for addressing climate change. He also stressed the need to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions, indicating that to achieve this “we need to use all relevant technologies”.Müller said that a massive investment in renewable energy is required to drive sustainable industrial development and highlighted the potential of green hydrogen as the future fuel. While countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia have great opportunities to develop green hydrogen production, UNIDO’s key message is “value creation must be kept in the producing countries for investment in industrialization”. He added, “We must create green hydrogen trade corridors and fair value chains between the developing market economies and the industrialized countries.”Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), described the interlinkages between energy planning and industrial policy, with a focus on the role of nuclear energy and what it means for international development. He said, “We need to create the necessary tools in action so that the [energy] transition is virtuous. Nuclear energy accounts for twenty-five percent of the clean energy produced today worldwide.” He noted the importance of capacity building and instruments to help countries prepare for various technologies.  Christina Duarte, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted that energy access is essential to accelerate economic transformation and industrialization in Africa. She emphasized opportunities for the development of continent-wide value chains, particularly in view of the critical mineral assets that the continent sits on and that are essential for the energy transition. She added that “it would be impossible for Africa to compete in international markets without affordable and accessible energy”.The keynote speaker, Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director, Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, assessed the interplay of industrial policy and energy systems in time of transition. He argued that roadmaps are the most important tool that countries should have, adding that currently there is a lack of clarity on how countries plan to reach net zero. Sachs stressed that “governments need to plan with a 25-year horizon and they need to plan with their neighbours”.In the subsequent discussion, ambassadorial-level officials from the regional groups, including Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, contributed their ideas about the major challenges and opportunities from the energy transition for industrial development.Rana Ghoneim, UNIDO’s chief of the Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization Unit, who moderated the discussion, concluded by emphasizing the need for integrated policymaking to tackle our climate and development challenges. She also called on Member States to share lessons learned and best practices from their own transition.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), together with the COP27 Presidency, hosted a special evening event to highlight the potential of green hydrogen, and to convey UNIDO's central message: progress by innovation.The evening began with an overview of the long history of energy development and its impact on the African continent. A selection of videos and interactions with the audience provided a relaxing atmosphere at the end of an eventful day at COP27.The notion that combatting climate change should be done in a cooperative manner was a recurring theme throughout the evening.Opening the event, Gerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO, said, "Today we need action, concrete solutions, implementation and solidarity."

SHARM EL-SHEIKH – UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller, took part in the “Investing in the Future of Energy: Green Hydrogen” high-level roundtable at COP27, co-chaired by Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Arab Republic of Egypt, and Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany.The roundtable focused on ways to enhance investments in the field of green hydrogen to confront climate change and activate the role of the private sector.In his opening remarks, President El-Sisi stressed, “Green hydrogen represents a real opportunity for economic development that is compatible with efforts to confront climate change and with the Paris Agreement goals.”In his statement, Chancellor Scholz said “Green hydrogen is the key to decarbonizing our economies, especially for hard-to-electrify sectors such as steel production, the chemical industry, heavy shipping and aviation.”There was a major announcement with President El-Sisi, and Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium, launching the Global Renewable Hydrogen Forum. The Forum is billed as a multi-stakeholder public-private platform to facilitate the use of renewable hydrogen to foster the decarbonization of industries and accelerate a just transition, and to identify the best instruments to enable the cross-border trade of renewable hydrogen between renewables-rich developing countries and developed countries.UNIDO’s Gerd Müller welcomed the founding of the Forum, describing it as a global platform to exchange knowledge and technology. He said, “We need it worldwide, not in the European Union. And we need it to define a global framework…UNIDO is the industrial agency and partner for Egypt and Europe to implement this multi-stakeholder platform designed to facilitate large-scale deployments of renewable hydrogen.”Müller concluded, “Our common goal must be to make sure developing countries and emerging economies have access to the benefits of green hydrogen.”