On the side-lines of the second Energy Transition Working Group meeting, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) hosted the side event "Green Hydrogen - Advancing Net-Zero Pathways." Green hydrogen is anticipated to play a crucial role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and achieving G20 nations' net-zero goals.

The side event, conducted in partnership with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and International Solar Alliance (ISA) with World Resources Institute India (WRI India) as knowledge partner, saw active participation by international research organizations, industry participants, regulatory bodies and other key stakeholders. The discussions were centred around policy, regulatory, and financial frameworks to accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen and promote cooperation amongst G20 nations. The event also featured an exhibition where India’s first H2 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) truck was displayed.

Speaking at the inaugural session in his keynote address Mr. Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE, said, “Creating policy mechanisms and regulatory frameworks along with establishing collaborations between countries, could accelerate a green hydrogen ecosystem. Developing consensus on a common framework for hydrogen certification would be extremely critical to enable global hydrogen trade. Achieving this will be of paramount importance as part of G20 deliberations and discussions.”

Giving a global perspective on green hydrogen Ms. Gauri Singh - Deputy Director General, IRENA, said “At present about 100 MTs of hydrogen is produced globally, and 98% of that comes from fossil fuels. The world's current power consumption, 21,000 TWh, must be generated six times over to switch to a "green hydrogen economy."

Mr. Madhav Pai, Interim CEO & Program Executive Director - Sustainable Cities & Transport, WRI India said, “Green hydrogen is poised to play a vital role in the cross-sectoral decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors and is therefore a crucial element for a sustainable, low-carbon future. There exist unique prospects for the world's leading economies to engage in cooperative and collaborative efforts critical for addressing economic and technical challenges and building a resilient global hydrogen value chain.”

The growing efforts to diversify and advance the fuel basket will not only result in environmental benefits but would also be accompanied by energy security and reduced import dependency. To meet clean energy transition objectives, G20 nations will require adoption of multi-pronged strategies which should include renewable energy, green hydrogen, and its derivatives. Substantive and coordinated global efforts are required to position green hydrogen as a key lever for energy transition, especially for hard-to-abate industrial sectors, long haul and heavy transport (including aviation and shipping), and other potential applications including heating and energy storage.

About WRI India

WRI India provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Our work focuses on building sustainable and liveable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. Know more: www.wri-india.org

About ISA

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries.

The ISA strives to develop and deploy cost-effective and transformational energy solutions powered by the sun to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories, with particular focus on delivering impact in countries categorized as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Being a global platform, ISA’s partnerships with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector orgnaisations, civil society and other international institutions is key to delivering the change its seeks to see in the world going ahead.

The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions. It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015. With the amendment of its Framework Agreement in 2020, all member states of the United Nations are now eligible to join the ISA. At present, 110 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement, of which 90 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA. Know more: www.isolaralliance.org

About SECI

"Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd" (SECI) is a CPSU under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), set up on 20th Sept, 2011 to facilitate the implementation of National Solar Mission (NSM) and achievement of targets set therein. It is the only CPSU dedicated to the renewable energy sector. It was originally incorporated as a section-25 (not for profit) company under the Companies Act, 1956. Know more: www.seci.co.in

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