First, let me share the original link to the Green Hydrogen Standard, prepared by GH2, which I will summarize in this article, so that those who want to learn more can read it directly:
https://gh2.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/GH2_Standard_A5_JAN%202023_1.pdf
Before briefly outlining the key elements of the Green Hydrogen Standard, I would like to inform you about the GH2 Organization:
The Green Hydrogen Organization (GH2) is a non-profit foundation under Swiss law. In addition to its office in Geneva, it has representatives in London, Oslo, Perth, and Sydney. GH2’s mission is to significantly accelerate hydrogen production and increase the use of green hydrogen in various sectors globally; to lobby for the rapid decarbonization of industries such as steel, cement, and fertilizer; and to reduce limited progress in maritime and aviation emissions through hydrogen. You can access GH2’s website at https://gh2.org/ .
The 7 principles of the Green Hydrogen Standard
A global standard defining green hydrogen is essential for promotion. Let’s summarize the green hydrogen standards set by GH2:
Projects implementing the Green Hydrogen Standards established by GH2 receive internationally recognized accreditations and certifications. Seven principles define the standards. These principles are:
1) Sovereignty and subsidiarity: GH2 recognizes that the development of natural resources and energy markets is the prerogative of sovereign governments, acting in the interest of their citizens and national development. To avoid duplication of effort, adherence to reliable and comprehensive national requirements will be considered sufficient to meet GH2’s accreditation and certification requirements. Furthermore, potential violations of GH2’s requirements by government agencies and/or other parties related to the project will be fully considered. Scientific knowledge should be applied with reference to peer-reviewed literature and accepted international standards.
2) Relevance: GH2 will consider relevance within the accreditation and certification framework. The process should highlight the most important issues and impacts and allow for minor gaps/deviations from other requirements where the broader objective of the requirements is met.
3) Harmonization: GH2 promotes compliance with international best practices to improve quality and efficiency and aims to ensure that its work is carried out in harmony and collaboration with organizations pursuing similar objectives.
4) Consultation: GH2 accreditation and certification require clear evidence of proactive and broad-based stakeholder consultation. All stakeholders, including governments and their agencies, companies and their suppliers, local communities that may be affected by the project, financial institutions, investors, and civil society organizations, have important and relevant contributions. We support the principle of prior, informed, and free consent.
5) Transparency: To contribute to informed public debate and trust-building, GH2 expects project promoters’ disclosures to be proactive, comprehensive, and publicly accessible. Project leaders should identify what is particularly important and interesting to specific stakeholders and explore the best ways to share this information. This information should be freely available to the relevant community online and in other formats. Free access to open data and the ability to reuse it is a significant asset to society.
6) Independent verification, reservations, and objections: GH2 requires project implementers to fully and convincingly demonstrate their compliance with the Standard, and this will be subject to independent review. GH2 will develop a review and objection procedure, but stakeholders with initial concerns about compliance with the Standard should raise this with the project implementer and/or the relevant national authorities. If this is not feasible or the concerns persist, the stakeholder may contact GH2 for review.
7) Further development of the Standard: The Standard seeks to balance predictability and flexibility in a new and rapidly growing sector. Project stakeholders emphasized the need for clear and consistent standards in their feedback for long-term planning. Furthermore, stakeholders agree that GH2 should incorporate emerging best practices as projects develop from pilot projects to large-scale operations. GH2 will review the lessons learned from the accreditation and certification process in consultation with all stakeholders. Any subsequent improvements or changes to the standard will include transitional arrangements that will allow project proponents to make the necessary adjustments within a reasonable timeframe before they come into force.
Let’s now turn to the requirements that constitute these principles:
Requirement 1
Project Overview and Forecast:
The purpose of this provision is to ensure that the project proponent can demonstrate the strategic alignment of the project with the relevant policies and plans of the host government and that the project is a priority option to meet identified market needs.
Requirement 2
Stakeholder Engagement and Government Approval:
The purpose of this provision is to demonstrate that the project
a) is subject to an appropriate approval process in accordance with national laws and regulations, b) any concerns regarding the project can be addressed through appropriate channels and with the relevant government authority, and c) the project engages widely with relevant stakeholders to build trust, strengthen community approval, and maximize local economic development opportunities.
Requirement 3
Project Location and Design:
The purpose of this provision is to demonstrate that the project location and design have been optimized through an iterative and consultative process that addresses the most significant technical, economic, financial, environmental, and social issues.
Requirement 4
Social Impact:
Best international practices emphasize the importance of holistic assessments to determine: (1) the risk and opportunity for social impacts of projects; (2) effective community participation through disclosure of project-related information and consultation with local communities on matters that directly affect them; and (3) the project implementer’s management of environmental and social performance throughout the project’s lifespan.
Requirement 5
Environmental Impact:
Best international practice emphasizes the importance of holistic assessments to determine: (1) the environmental risks and opportunities of projects; (2) effective community participation through disclosure of project-related information and consultation with local communities on matters that directly affect them; and (3) the project operator’s management of environmental and social performance throughout the project’s lifespan.
Requirement 6
Health and Safety:
The purpose of this provision is to demonstrate that the livelihoods and standards of living of project-affected communities have improved compared to pre-project conditions and that life, property, and community assets and resources are protected from the consequences of any infrastructure and operational security risks.
Requirement 7
Governance, transparency, and accountability…
Hydrogen projects that meet all these requirements must undergo three processes for accreditation and certification:
1) Early commitment and support
2) Independent assessment of Green Hydrogen Projects
3) Certification of Green Hydrogen Production
In addition to all these, you can also read about the Green Ammonia Protocol within the same standards.
Hydrogen for a livable world
In a world where the use of fossil fuels for energy is gradually being phased out, hydrogen is gaining prominence, particularly for meeting base load and providing an efficient storage system. Hydrogen, which produces water vapor when burned, is an important environmentally friendly alternative and will undoubtedly replace natural gas and similar energy sources in meeting our energy needs. I would like to remind my readers who are unfamiliar with the subject that natural gas should be converted to hydrogen and burned for energy needs, while another output, carbon, can be used as a raw material in various sectors.
In a world where we are experiencing record temperatures and feeling global warming in our bones, I hope that the hydrogen sector will be brought to the required standards in all countries and launched as soon as possible to correct the situation and leave a livable world for future generations.
On this occasion, I celebrate Victory Day on the 100th Anniversary of our Republic! Wishing you many more victories for humanity and our country…
Tag: ecology
