On 10 December 2023, UNIDO, IRENA and IDOS co-hosted a side event in the IRENA Pavilion to present their joint report „Green hydrogen for Sustainable Industrial Development: A Policy Toolkit for Developing Countries”. A press release was also issued.
Cover of the report
The report highlights the potential of green hydrogen to foster domestic value addition, create jobs and catalyse the greening of economies. It focuses on inclusive industrial policies and explores ways to share benefits equitably across the hydrogen value chain.
After opening remarks by Gunther Beger (Managing Director of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation at UNIDO) and Ute Collier (Deputy Director of the Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre at IRENA), Rita Strohmaier (IDOS) and Smeeta Fokeer (UNIDO) presented the key messages of the report.
The subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Emanuele Bianco (IRENA), delved into opportunities and challenges associated with establishing a domestic green hydrogen market.
Panellists, including Nadejda Komendantova (Senior Researcher), Nancy Saich (Chief Climate Change Expert of the European Investment Bank) and Frank Wouters (Chairman of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance), agreed on the crucial need to align the green hydrogen market ramp-up with a just transition. Given the many uncertainties surrounding renewable hydrogen production today, Nancy Saich emphasised the need for a flexible energy system to avoid stranded assets in the long term. Frank Wouters advocated for social contracts to ensure equitable partnerships between local communities and hydrogen producers.
The report will soon be available on the websites of UNIDO, IRENA and IDOS.
