The emissions intensity of hydrogen production varies widely depending on the production route. Today, hydrogen production is dominated by unabated fossil fuels; emissions need to decrease significantly to meet climate ambitions.
The fuel and technology used, the rate at which CO2 capture and storage is applied, and the level of upstream and midstream emissions all strongly influence the emissions intensity of hydrogen production. For example, production based on unabated fossil fuels can result in emissions of up to 27 kg CO2-eq/kg H2, depending on the level of upstream and midstream emissions.
Conversely, producing hydrogen from biomass with CO2 capture and storage can result in negative emissions, as a result of removing the captured biogenic carbon from the natural carbon cycle. The average emissions intensity of global hydrogen production in 2021 was in the range of 12-13 kg CO2-eq/kg H2. In the IEA Net Zero by 2050 Scenario, this average fleet emissions intensity reaches 6-7 kg CO2-eq/kg H2 by 2030 and falls below 1 kg CO2-eq/kg H2 by 2050
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