The UK could lead the world in hydrogen power

A new report from the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) points to a ‘significant opportunity’ for hydrogen to decarbonise the transport sector, which is now the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It claims that a focus on electric cars needs to be complemented with action on heavier vehicle types, including buses, trucks, trains, and ships, ‘to which hydrogen is well-suited’. Investing in hydrogen as a fuel source is ‘essential’ for the UK to meet its net zero target and clean up its air, states the CPS, adding that this could ‘offer significant economic gains and help build a world-leading green industry in the future’.

The Driving change report calls for hydrogen to be given a much bigger role in transport decarbonisation by using the UK bus fleet as a testbed for the technology. Embracing hydrogen would also give the UK an opportunity to lead the world in a vital sector and create thousands of green jobs – at a time when other economies are moving quickly to seize the global hydrogen market, it claims. 

The report also points out that the UK will likely need a hydrogen infrastructure to help decarbonise other sectors, such as domestic heating and industrial processes, so it makes sense to lay the groundwork now and ensure that the UK is at the forefront of a new, low-carbon industry with significant export potential.

The report contains a range of specific recommendations, including: 

• Setting out a UK-wide hydrogen strategy before COP26, and establishing a cross-departmental working group.
• Ensure that the UK develops an adequate hydrogen infrastructure, including investment via the government’s clean energy funds.
• Setting a target of 2038 for the UK bus fleet to become zero emission.
• Developing individual strategies within the Transport Decarbonisation Plan for decarbonising HGVs and LGVs, buses, trains, shipping and aviation.
• Reforming the Bus Service Operators Grant and Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
• Introducing clean air targets in line with WHO guidelines and strengthening Clean Air Zones.