International H2 trade organisation in the works

: Hydrogen
23/04/26

Panama has high hopes for a new trade body to agree on standards for renewable hydrogen and close the ‘significant gaps' that exist

Panama is planning to set up an intergovernmental organisation to facilitate international trade in renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, the country's undersecretary for energy, Rosilena Lindo, tells Argus.

The country aims to officially launch its plans for the body — dubbed the Hydrogen International Trade Organisation — at this year's Cop 28 climate talks in December in Dubai.

It has spoken informally with "more than 16 countries" regarding the plans and "everybody is on board", Lindo says.

Panama plans to have at least 10 countries ratify and approve a treaty setting out the organisation's ambitions within a year of the December launch. It will jointly decide with the other participating states on a headquarters and first director for the organisation, according to Lindo.

An initial goal for the body would be to "bring everyone on the same page when talking about certification and standards", Lindo says. "This will be key to ensuring that we are trading the same or similar type of fuel."

Several national governments and other organisations are in the process of developing hydrogen certification schemes and standards that they hope will find international recognition. But progress in the field has been limited. Renewable energy agency Irena said earlier this year that there are still "significant gaps" in existing attempts at certification, which could hamper trade.

Panama will launch its national green hydrogen strategy on 28 April, building on an initial roadmap released in January last year. The strategy will set specific goals for renewable hydrogen production in Panama — 500,000 t/yr by 2030, 2mn t/yr by 2040 and 4mn t/yr by 2050.

Panama's green H2 ambitions
Year	Production t/yr

2030	500,000
2040	2,000,000
2050	4,000,000
— Panama energy ministry

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25/04/25

Danish H2 sector criticises country's mandate draft

London, 25 April (Argus) — Industry group Hydrogen Denmark and some of its member companies have criticised the country's draft to transpose EU hydrogen transport targets into Danish law, and have urged Copenhagen to adjust the rules before they are finalised in May. Companies with hydrogen projects, including Everfuel, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and European Energy, signed an open letter calling for changes, as did fuel producer Crossbridge Energy, which runs the 67,000 b/d Fredericia oil refinery and has an offtake deal for hydrogen from Everfuel. The group said Denmark's targets are unambitious and too low to spur significant demand and help the country realise its goal to export 'green' energy. The draft rules would effectively mean Danish fuel companies supply 1pc renewable hydrogen and derivatives to the transport sector by 2030, which was the minimum goal set by Brussels. The group urged Denmark to aim above the EU target, following member states like Finland that has set a 4pc target . The group also wants Denmark to phase in the quota with incremental increases each year until 2030 starting as early as 2026, to aid first-mover projects and generate experience that ensures Denmark can successfully meet the binding EU target that starts in 2030. The group also warned Denmark must not exclude use of subsidised hydrogen from counting towards transport targets. This would ruin the business case for many hydrogen production projects and could steer Danish producers towards exports and mean Denmark effectively subsidises neighbours like Germany to meet its own mandates, it said. The group's concerns stem from language around 'supported' projects in the draft text, which it understands to refer to state aid. If left unchanged, the rule would affect projects that Denmark has subsidised through its power-to-X tender and Danish projects that may hope to benefit from EU-level funds like the European Hydrogen Bank or the Innovation Fund. The industry group praised Copenhagen's plan to allow renewable hydrogen switching in refineries to count towards the targets. This mechanism, known as the refinery route in some European countries, has been called "elegant" by market participants because it should raise demand for hydrogen in the near term and is a logistically simpler way to cut CO2 than converting refuelling stations and vehicle fleets to use hydrogen. Denmark appears to have allowed the rule without limiting the value of credits, unlike the Netherlands where a 'multiplier' rankled industry participants . Allowing the refinery route will probably please Everfuel and Crossbridge Energy, as the latter had complained Denmark was not supporting its refinery 20MW fuel switching project unlike EU peers. Copenhagen had planned to set the draft mandates into law by 21 May — the deadline set under the EU's revised renewable energy directive (REDIII) — but it remains to be seen if it will press ahead with this timeline given industry has demanded changes. By Aidan Lea Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Canada election’s CO2 pricing issue one to watch for H2

25/04/23

Canada election’s CO2 pricing issue one to watch for H2

Canada's two main parties have clashed on the carbon pricing system ahead of the general election, but there is also common ground, writes Jasmina Kelemen Houston, 23 April (Argus) — Industrial carbon pricing has become one of the key issues in the run-up to Canada's forthcoming general election on 28 April, and the future course on this is expected to affect the country's nascent clean hydrogen sector. Prime minister Mark Carney's first major act after assuming office in early March was to scrap the consumer carbon tax . The tax had become the focus of popular anger against former prime minister Justin Trudeau after Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre blamed Liberal climate policies for rising household costs. But Carney, who served five years as the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, left the federal carbon pricing system on industrial emissions intact and has vowed to keep it. In contrast, Poilievre has said he will eliminate it, arguing the system raises costs for consumers while merely shifting emissions abroad. Scrapping the federal carbon pricing system would not mean that emissions immediately become free of charge across Canada. The federal law serves as a "backstop" for provinces that do not have their own carbon pricing mechanisms in place, and sets minimum standards for others. Most provinces have their own systems in place for now, but they could alter or altogether eliminate these if the federal law on carbon pricing is removed. Climate activists say retaining the carbon pricing would be crucial for meaningful emissions cuts. "Without the signal industrial pricing systems send, other types of incentives... will not be enough to meaningfully drive down carbon pollution from big industry or deliver on Canada's climate goals," Canadian Climate Institute president Rick Smith said in March. Under the federal system, the minimum carbon tax is currently set at C$95/t ($68.60/t) of CO2 and is set to increase by C$15/t each year, plateauing at C$170/t in 2030. If such pricing is retained, it could help drive a shift towards cleaner hydrogen production , including from natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS), compared with existing production pathways with unabated emissions. For now, it seems likely that the federal carbon pricing system will survive the election. The Liberals were ahead in a rolling three-day Nanos poll released on 21 April, with 43.7pc favouring Carney compared with the Conservatives' 36.3pc. Corridor train Carney and Poilievre appear more aligned on other energy issues and policies that could have implications for the hydrogen sector. Both have embraced Canada's potential for fossil fuel output. Carney wants to turn the country into a "superpower in both clean and conventional energy", and has vowed to build out pipelines, trade corridors and other infrastructure — including electricity grids — to diversify energy exports away from the US. Some of this could support hydrogen ventures, such as in British Columbia where a slew of proposed renewable and CCS-based projects have failed to advance , partly because of high power prices and limited gas infrastructure. Despite the support for conventional energy, Carney and Poilievre have also stressed their commitment to retain investment tax credits for clean technologies and manufacturing. Renewable and CCS-based hydrogen projects can benefit from these , with tax credits depending on the carbon intensity of production. Both have vowed to streamline and accelerate permitting processes for large infrastructure projects, which could benefit hydrogen ventures if realised. Canada's clean hydrogen ambitions will also be dependent on the sector gaining traction elsewhere. Eastern Canada's goal to leverage its renewable resources and help meet what was expected to be burgeoning demand in Europe has stalled as the transatlantic market has failed to materialise as anticipated. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Belgian H2 pipeline faces year delay in fruit dispute

25/04/17

Belgian H2 pipeline faces year delay in fruit dispute

London, 17 April (Argus) — The construction of Belgium's first hydrogen pipeline between the ports of Ghent and Antwerp could be delayed by a year, after its environmental permit was suspended, gas transport system operator Fluxys has said. The 35km pipeline linking the towns of Zelzate and Kallo — part of a "first phase" of Belgium's "open access" hydrogen pipeline network — was to be completed in 2026 following the start of construction last month . But Belgium's council for permit disputes suspended the environmental permit following appeals from fruit growers related to discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals" — into the water, Fluxys said. "Work has been halted pending a decision on the merits of the case, which could take up to a year," said Fluxys spokesperson Tim De Vil. "This clearly puts our timetable at risk." A final decision is expected next year at the earliest. De Vil said Fluxys is talking to the Flemish government and farmers' organisations to ensure the permit can still be approved. Fluxys' permit included permission to dispose of PFAS-contaminated water into surface water under "certain conditions." But the regulatory body ruled the impact on areas already exceeding the PFAS limits had been evaluated inaccurately. By Alexandra Luca Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan’s Mitsui invests in US e-fuel producer

25/04/17

Japan’s Mitsui invests in US e-fuel producer

Tokyo, 17 April (Argus) — Japanese trading company Mitsui has invested in California-based synthetic fuel (e-fuel) producer Infinium, aiming to acquire knowledge on technology and commercialisation in the emerging sector. The investment in Infinium was conducted in March, Mitsui told Argus on 16 April, declining to disclose the specific amount. This marks Mitsui's second investment in e-fuel producers. The firm invested in California-based synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) producer Twelve Benefit . Infinium produces green hydrogen from water by electrolysis, and converts the hydrogen and CO2 into e-fuels by using renewable energy. The firm is planning to launch its second plant, which will specialise in e-SAF production. International Airlines Group (IAG) and American Airlines have agreed to receive the e-SAF that will be produced at the plant. E-fuels can help reduce over 90pc of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with conventional fossil fuels, and are notable as "drop-in" substitutes for conventional fuels, applicable to existing engines and infrastructures, Mitsui said. Mitsui is observing the e-SAF market. SAF is a relatively promising prospect in the renewable energy sector, on the back of the target by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to achieve net-zero emissions in international aviation by 2050, as well as governmental policies bolstering the deployment of SAF, a representative of the firm told Argus . Japan plans to replace 10pc of the jet fuel consumed by domestic airlines with SAF in 2030. By Kohei Yamamoto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

IMO GHG pricing not yet Paris deal-aligned: EU

25/04/14

IMO GHG pricing not yet Paris deal-aligned: EU

Brussels, 14 April (Argus) — The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) global greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing mechanism "does not yet ensure the sector's full contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement goals", the European Commission has said. "Does it have everything for everybody? For sure, it doesn't," said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the commission's climate and energy spokesperson said. "This is often the case as an outcome from international negotiations, that not everybody gets the most optimal outcome." The IMO agreement reached last week will need to be confirmed by the organisation in October, the EU noted, even if it is a "strong foundation" and "meaningful step" towards net zero GHG emissions in global shipping by 2050. The commission will have 18 months following the IMO mechanism's formal approval to review the directive governing the bloc's emissions trading system (ETS), which currently includes maritime emissions for intra-EU voyages and those entering or leaving the bloc. By EU law, the commission will also have to report on possible "articulation or alignment" of the bloc's FuelEU Maritime regulation with the IMO, including the need to "avoid duplicating regulation of GHG emissions from maritime transport" at EU and international levels. That report should be presented, "without delay", following formal adoption of an IMO global GHG fuel standard or global GHG intensity limit. Finland's head representative at the IMO delegation talks, Anita Irmeli, told Argus that the EU's consideration of whether the approved Marpol amendments are ambitious enough won't be until "well after October". Commenting on the IMO agreement, the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) pointed to the "neutral" approach to feedstocks, including first generation biofuels. "The EBB welcomes this agreement, where all feedstocks and pathways have a role to play," EBB secretary general Xavier Noyon said. Faig Abbasov, shipping director at non-governmental organisation Transport and Environment, called for better incentives for green hydrogen. "The IMO deal creates a momentum for alternative marine fuels. But unfortunately it is the forest-destroying first generation biofuels that will get the biggest push for the next decade," he said. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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