Green hydrogen advocates in denial about looming material problem

Renewable energy, electric vehicles and green hydrogen all offer ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Recent years have seen rising interest in how these technologies impact the demand and mining of critical materials. Lithium mining for electric batteries, in particular, has been scrutinised by environmental groups. Yet less discussed is green hydrogen which requires scarce materials, writes Rebecca Bertram. Its proponents tout green hydrogen as the gold of the twenty-first century, while policy makers are clearing the way for a massive global build-up and trade. Promises and stakes are high: green hydrogen offers a way to decarbonise so-called hard-to-abate sectors, such as steel, cement and chemical industries, for which there currently are no other viable climate-friendly alternatives. According to the United Nations, some 70 countries have to date set net zero targets covering 76 percent of global emissions. Should green hydrogen suddenly not be as sustainable as it claims, this would have a catastrophic impact on the industrial decarbonisation necessary to avert dangerous climate change. There are different ways to produce hydrogen. Green …