Hydrogen
The UK needs a hydrogen strategy
The UK has the potential to become a global leader in renewable and lowcarbon hydrogen technology, but we must move fast to realise this opportunity and achieve the maximum economic benefit. It will require ambitious collaboration between government and industry. The UK has a huge number of natural advantages when it comes to hydrogen energy – we have a robust energy If the government is going to achieve its target of reaching net infrastructure, and we have a highly-skilled zero carbon emissions by 2050, hydrogen will be needed. Rob manufacturing base well-suited to a cuttingedge new technology like hydrogen. Dale explains how the Hydrogen Strategy Now campaign has The Local Government Association has been established to spur the government into action already said there could be over 1 million green new jobs created by 2050, and it is clear that hydrogen is going to play an The UK urgently needs a hydrogen in more detail the Government’s plans for essential role in the world’s future, lowstrategy. That’s what the Hydrogen economic recovery from the Covid-crisis. carbon economy. The increasingly bold steps Strategy Now campaign is all about. In just a few short weeks, nearly fifty MPs being taken by other nations underlines the The UK has the unique opportunity to and Peers, of all parties, have added their need for the UK to bring forward urgent become a world-leader in hydrogen, but support to this campaign. It has been raised measures to establish a hydrogen strategy without a strategy we are at risk of missing in Parliament on multiple occasions, and and unlock investment and innovation. the boat. The Hydrogen Strategy Now has secured the endorsement of council campaign has been established by a group leaders, leading academics, and the General What are the benefits? of leading businesses operating in the UK, Secretaries of four major UK trade unions The benefits of having a strong hydrogen united in the belief that the government - UNISON, Unite, GMB, and Prospect. economy are clear – it will drastically reduce must establish a UK-wide hydrogen As the General Secretaries of these trade strategy. Developing a clear, strategic plan unions stated in their letter: “We fully carbon emissions, improve air quality, and create new, green jobs across the country. such as this will unlock significant private support the need to become decarbonised in It can help usher in a new era of clean investment in hydrogen technologies a manner that takes significant steps towards transport, through hydrogen buses, trains, and manufacturing across the country, our net zero targets, whilst at the same time lorries and even ships and aeroplanes, as driving growth and creating green jobs. sustaining and creating high quality jobs, and well as clean heating. It will also provide The economic recovery from the Covid supporting economic growth in all parts of a huge boost to manufacturing in this crisis must be green, clean, and create jobs. the country. We believe hydrogen is key to country and give the UK the opportunity to Hydrogen can play a key role in this recovery. meeting these objectives. It will support the lead the world in an exciting renewable In the longer term, if the government is decarbonisation of heat and the generation and low-carbon technology. going to achieve its legally required target of clean power. It is also critical A UK-wide hydrogen of reaching net zero carbon emissions by not only because it will enable economy will create and 2050, hydrogen will be needed to get there. energy to decarbonise, If the sustain hundreds of but also because it will g o v ernmen thousands of high-skilled, Campaigning government enable transport and t puts fo Our campaign has written to the Chancellor heavy industry to green jobs, in all parts of r UK-wid ward an to urge him to commit to establishing do so too, with the the country. It will drive a UK-wide hydrogen strategy at July’s multiple benefits progress to net zero boost h e strategy to expected fiscal event, which will set out this will bring.” and improve air quality ydro
future cgen, the be incre an d excitingibly .
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