A Global Assessment of Green Hydrogen Value Chain: Synthesizing Policy Learnings

Green hydrogen is gaining prominence in the global shift towards sustainable energy systems, with the potential to decarbonize sectors like transportation, chemicals, and industry. However, the green hydrogen value chain faces challenges such as high capital costs, infrastructure limitations, and policy gaps specially for developing economies. This study seeks to address: first, to identify and understand the key players in the green hydrogen value chain, particularly focussing on the upstream and midstream segments, and second, to synthesize policy lessons that can serve as indicators of best practices within the existing value chain. A global mapping exercise was conducted, utilizing datasets on patents, exports, and the IEA Hydrogen Project database, to systematically rank countries across various segments of the value chain. The findings highlight Europe leading with over 30% of proposed green hydrogen projects worldwide, while China emerges as a dominant player in both the export and patent landscapes across all segments. Notably, the study reveals a strategic concentration of raw mineral processing in countries like China and the USA, rather than in the nations that mine these minerals. The analysis concluded in the identification of seven critical policy learnings across three thematic areas: legal and regulatory frameworks, financial mechanisms, and technological innovation. These insights provide a robust foundation for guiding policy development in nascent economies that are in the early stages of establishing or transitioning to a green hydrogen economy.