Europe's blue hydrogen projects could cause emissions equivalent to Denmark's output

Planned blue hydrogen projects in Europe may produce emissions on the scale of Denmark's annual output, raising concerns over their environmental impact as EU officials debate whether to subsidize this technology as a low-carbon solution.

Aline Nippert reports for DeSmog.

In short:

• Blue hydrogen, made from natural gas, could generate 38 million tonnes of CO2 annually if planned projects are approved.
• Industry estimates suggest these projects could consume more natural gas than France’s annual usage.
• Critics argue the technology could increase gas demand, undermining EU climate goals.

Key quote:

"We should be very cautious with blue hydrogen. We should not buy into a false sense of complacency that it is a low-carbon fuel."

— Lorenzo Sani, power analyst at Carbon Tracker

Why this matters:

While blue hydrogen is promoted as a cleaner fuel, it still relies heavily on natural gas, raising concerns about methane leaks and CO2 emissions. Without strict regulations, the technology may hinder the transition to truly green energy.