Green hydrogen: a key bet on the energy of the future

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, yet it is never found freely in nature. To be used as fuel, it must be produced through industrial processes—some highly polluting, others designed to be sustainable.

So-called green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. The result is a clean fuel with zero carbon dioxide emissions, widely regarded as essential for achieving climate neutrality and advancing the global decarbonization of the economy.

While production costs remain high, green hydrogen is increasingly seen as a strategic solution: clean, exportable energy with the potential to supply entire regions, including Europe. In some areas, researchers are even exploring the use of freshwater from melting glaciers—an unusual and valuable resource that also serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the climate crisis.