Global Hydrogen Flows

Hydrogen and its derivatives can play a central role in helping the world reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. As a complement to other technologies, including renewable power and biofuels, hydrogen and its derivatives have the potential to decarbonize certain high-emitting industries, such as steel, heavy-duty transport, and building heating, as well as support flexible power generation, among other applications. By 2050, hydrogen could contribute to more than 20 percent of annual global emissions reductions needed for the world to reach net-zero emissions. The Global Hydrogen Flows Perspective addresses the midstream challenge of aligning and optimizing global supply and demand. It finds that trade can reduce overall system costs. In doing so, it provides a perspective on how the global trade of hydrogen and derivatives, including hydrogen carriers, ammonia, methanol, synthetic kerosene, and green steel (which uses hydrogen in its production), can develop as well as the investments needed to unlock the full potential of global hydrogen and derivatives trade. Our hope is that this report offers stakeholders—suppliers, buyers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), investors, and governments—a thorough and quantitative perspective that will help them make the decisions required to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen.