Mission and vision

Thriving climate-neutral energy markets, resulting in enhanced climate and development outcomes globally.

Our mission is to accelerate the emergence of markets for clean hydrogen and other zero- and low-emission technologies worldwide. We achieve this through market-based instruments, such as the H2Global mechanism, implemented by our subsidiary Hintco.

In line with the Paris Agreement, countries around the world have set themselves ambitious climate goals. These require significant changes in all sectors of the economy. The transition towards a CO2-neutral future will require, among others, enhanced energy efficiency; the ramp-up of renewable energy; electrification whenever possible; and the broad adoption of low-emission technologies such as clean hydrogen and its derivatives.

Clean hydrogen is expected to play a large role in mitigating emissions from otherwise hard-to-decarbonize sectors, while also providing an alternative for long-duration energy storage.

Hydrogen is a gaseous chemical element that can act as an energy carrier and be used as fuel to store, move, and deliver energy. In its combustion, it emits only water as a by-product and is hence seen as key to decarbonizing otherwise greenhouse gas-emitting sources of energy. Hydrogen is projected to significantly help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors such as iron and steel production, the chemical industry, as well as heavy-duty transport. Employing clean hydrogen in current industrial uses focusing on petroleum refining and ammonia production could also bring significant reductions in global CO2 emissions. Looking beyond emissions reduction as a key characteristic of hydrogen production, clean hydrogen can also bring resilience to countries that are pursuing energy independence and diversification, thanks to the fact that it can be produced domestically from multiple feedstocks using diverse technologies.

Political momentum behind clean hydrogen remains strong—over 60 countries have announced hydrogen strategies, for example—but deployment is not taking off: as of 2024, only a very small percentage of announced hydrogen projects are under construction or have reached final investment decision. The market for clean hydrogen is still in its infancy, with limited liquidity, no market prices, legal uncertainty, and multiple barriers to entry.

Sustainability is an integral part of the H2Global Foundation, and we always aim to act in an ethical, transparent, and responsible way. Our sustainability activities are centered on three main pillars:

1. Supporting governments develop markets for clean hydrogen and other zero- and low-emission technologies through market-based instruments that contribute to meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The most critical way in which the H2Global Foundation promotes sustainability is through the development and promotion of tools—such as the H2Global mechanism—that create markets for clean hydrogen and other low-emission fuels, essential to meeting the world’s climate targets. These tools are designed to be aligned with the United Nations SDGs. The governments that commit funds to the H2Global mechanism can determine the sustainability criteria that the projects benefiting from support must adhere to. This may consist exclusively of the criteria already foreseen in existing legislation, such as the European Union’s Renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO), and/or additional criteria of relevance, such as participation from indigenous communities. 

2. Collaborating with international organizations to help shape the framework conditions for the sustainable deployment of clean hydrogen and other zero- and low-emission technologies.

The H2Global Foundation engages international organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the World Economic Forum, and the Clean Energy Ministerial to exchange experiences and share knowledge that can help shape the framework needed to ensure the deployment of clean hydrogen is aligned with SDGs.

3. Conducting our work sustainably.

The H2Global Foundation has adopted a series of measures designed to improve sustainability in the workplace, including allowing employees flexible work-from-home options; encouraging greener commuting options; replacing unnecessary business trips with video calls; as well as promoting recycling and waste reduction.