Hydrogen's Role in Climate Change: A Double-Edged Sword

Hydrogen, or H2, has garnered significant interest as a cleaner energy source for power plants, industry, and shipping. In Singapore, the government has approved the blending of hydrogen with natural gas in next-generation power plants and is pursuing hydrogen-based fuels in the maritime sector to reduce carbon emissions.

However, a global study published on December 18 reveals that hydrogen production may inadvertently contribute to climate change by prolonging the lifespan of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Hydrogen levels have been increasing, disrupting natural mechanisms that remove methane from the atmosphere, which is responsible for about a third of global warming to date.

The research, led by the Global Carbon Project and involving over three dozen scientists from nearly 30 global institutions, found that hydrogen levels in the atmosphere increased between 1990 and 2020, contributing 0.02 degrees Celsius to the nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius rise in average temperatures since the pre-industrial period.

The study indicates that while hydrogen is not a greenhouse gas, it influences atmospheric chemistry by triggering the production of ozone and water vapor, both of which trap heat. About 70 percent of hydrogen emissions are removed by soils, but each year, more hydrogen is added to the atmosphere than is removed.

The International Energy Agency reports that global hydrogen demand reached almost 100 million tonnes in 2024, yet only about 1 percent of this was green hydrogen, although this is expected to rise by 2030 as production costs decrease.

Singapore's Energy Market Authority plans to have at least eight hydrogen-compatible power plants by 2030 while also exploring hydrogen as a feedstock for fuels used in shipping. Experts suggest that transitioning to renewable energy for hydrogen production offers the dual advantage of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and eliminating methane leaks, emphasizing the need for investment in green hydrogen production.

The report concludes that while hydrogen holds promise as a less polluting energy source, careful attention must be paid to its production methods to prevent further climate impact.