Mapping the Hydrogen Lobby

About the Series

We’re tracking global efforts to lobby for the use of hydrogen across different sectors of the economy.

“Blue hydrogen” is made from natural gas and is often described as clean or low-carbon because it offsets some of its emissions via carbon capture and storage (CCS) — an expensive technology that is still unviable at scale and has only managed to capture, at most, 70 percent of carbon emissions.

Behind this push for blue hydrogen, as our reporting reveals, are networks of companies, industry associations, lobbyists, and politicians with deep ties to the fossil fuel industry. Explore the maps and related articles we’ve created that trace these networks in the European Union, Canada, and United States.

“Green hydrogen” is a much more climate-friendly option because it is produced using renewable energy. It is viewed as crucial in certain applications, such as fertilizer and steel production. If it were to replace current dirty hydrogen production, it would eliminate 2 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

However, climate experts have concerns about the push for green hydrogen in sectors such as heating and transport, because it competes with other technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles, which require far less energy. It is also likely that the fossil fuel industry is using the promise of green hydrogen as a “bait-and-switch” strategy to secure support for the blue form of the fuel and further investment in gas infrastructure.

In This Series

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Green groups warn that industry ‘greenwash’ risks diverting politicians from less-polluting alternatives.

Green groups warn that industry ‘greenwash’ risks diverting politicians from less-polluting alternatives.
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The labelling will "deceive or confuse" consumers, say experts.

The labelling will "deceive or confuse" consumers, say experts.
Analysis
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DeSmog has mapped the fossil fuel interests lobbying for gas-derived hydrogen and threatening to derail the momentum of green hydrogen.

DeSmog has mapped the fossil fuel interests lobbying for gas-derived hydrogen and threatening to derail the momentum of green hydrogen.
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Climate campaigners are concerned over Jane Toogood’s role in a company that sells technology to produce hydrogen from methane.

Climate campaigners are concerned over Jane Toogood’s role in a company that sells technology to produce hydrogen from methane.
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Critics say the best argument for blue hydrogen is to “keep the fossil fuel industry in business.”

Critics say the best argument for blue hydrogen is to “keep the fossil fuel industry in business.”
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Industry and governments are eager to embrace hydrogen power. But the plan to do so is “overly optimistic” and based on “unfounded assumptions.”

Industry and governments are eager to embrace hydrogen power. But the plan to do so is “overly optimistic” and based on “unfounded assumptions.”
Opinion
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But even Sen. Joe Manchin admits a major flaw in the industry spin underpinning blue hydrogen’s supposed climate credentials.

But even Sen. Joe Manchin admits a major flaw in the industry spin underpinning blue hydrogen’s supposed climate credentials.
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Behind the push for hydrogen lies a sprawling network of lobby groups, PR firms and consultancies, many of them funded by oil and gas companies.

Behind the push for hydrogen lies a sprawling network of lobby groups, PR firms and consultancies, many of them funded by oil and gas companies.
Opinion
Analysis
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A new study finds that hydrogen fuel produced from water using renewable energy will be cheaper than natural gas-based hydrogen with carbon capture by 2030.

A new study finds that hydrogen fuel produced from water using renewable energy will be cheaper than natural gas-based hydrogen with carbon capture by 2030.
Opinion
Analysis
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Blue hydrogen isn’t a clean energy source and the economics don’t work, but that does not appear to be slowing its rapid adoption being driven by the oil and gas industry.

Blue hydrogen isn’t a clean energy source and the economics don’t work, but that does not appear to be slowing its rapid adoption being driven by the oil and gas industry.
Analysis
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From the U.S. to Japan, governments are quickly putting money behind oil and gas industry efforts selling blue hydrogen produced by natural gas with carbon capture as a clean fuel for the energy transition. But new research finds blue hydrogen may be no cleaner than burning natural gas.

From the U.S. to Japan, governments are quickly putting money behind oil and gas industry efforts selling blue hydrogen produced by natural gas with carbon capture as a clean fuel for the energy transition. But new research finds blue hydrogen may be no cleaner than burning natural gas.
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In Italy, fossil fuel companies met over a hundred times with ministers and civil servants, helping to quadruple financial support for the sector, a new report claims.

In Italy, fossil fuel companies met over a hundred times with ministers and civil servants, helping to quadruple financial support for the sector, a new report claims.
Analysis
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DeSmog takes a critical look at the burgeoning new fuel — and debunks some of the myths surrounding it.

DeSmog takes a critical look at the burgeoning new fuel — and debunks some of the myths surrounding it.
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The recent deluge of pro-hydrogen stories in the media that tout hydrogen as a climate solution and clean form of energy can now be linked in part to FTI Consulting — one of the most notorious oil ...