Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002566/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sara Matthieu (Verts/ALE)
Given the prominent role envisaged for clean hydrogen in the EU’s decarbonisation agenda, questions around its full climate impact must be assessed urgently.
There is strong scientific consensus that hydrogen’s global warming potential (GWP) is significantly higher than previously reported by the IPCC and referenced in current EU legislation. In addition, recent scientific research, including EU-funded projects and independent campaigns, will provide new evidence such as direct measurement and quantification of hydrogen emissions.
Article 9(6) of the Gas Market Directive[1] mandates the Commission to submit a report evaluating hydrogen leakage and proposing maximum leakage rates, but it does not specify a publication timeline. Given the rapid pace of hydrogen infrastructure development and the investment decisions being made now, this regulatory gap poses immediate risks to achieving EU climate objectives.
In light of this:
- 1.Can the Commission agree that it is both feasible and critically important to submit the report on hydrogen leakage, and if so, what specific steps will the Commission take to ensure it is submitted before 2028?
- 2.Does the Commission acknowledge the scientific consensus regarding hydrogen’s GWP and will this updated understanding inform upcoming legislative initiatives, including the upcoming delegated act on low-carbon hydrogen?
Submitted: 25.6.2025
- [1] Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, amending Directive (EU) 2023/1791 and repealing Directive 2009/73/EC (OJ L, 2024/1788, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj).