G20 Energy Panel unable to reach consensus

PANJIM: The G20 Energy Transition Working Group is facing challenges in reaching a consensus on the joint communique with clean hydrogen and the Russia-Ukraine war being the key sticking points.

About 60% of the communique has been agreed upon, but negotiations are still continuing on whether the future of hydrogen should be green or clean, people aware of the development said. The communique entails a paragraph that states to deplore the aggression by Russia against Ukraine, which is being opposed by Russia and China, sources said.

Officials are hopeful of some agreement on the second day of the talks on Saturday. In the absence of a joint communique, a chair statement or summary may be released at the end of the meeting, sources said. There are 27 paragraphs in the draft communique on energy transition and the last leg of deliberations are before the G20 Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting on July 22 under India’s presidency. While green hydrogen is that produced through renewable energy, clean hydrogen is can also be generated from fossil fuels through the use of carbon capture and storage. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the US have suggested including low carbon hydrogen as well.


However, there is a broad consensus for having some international standards for green or clean hydrogen. Whether hydrogen should be clean or green will play a significant role once countries start trading in this fuel. India's Green Hydrogen Mission, which also aims for export, is based on renewable energy sources.