EU leaders should not rush to revamp green-hydrogen rules

• EDITORIAL

• 25 February 2026

EU leaders should not rush to revamp green-hydrogen rules

Some policymakers think that climate-friendly policies are impeding the adoption of green hydrogen. They should ask scientists to review the evidence.

You have full access to this article via your institution.

Download PDF

[Emmanuel Macron behind a lectern delivering a speech.]

Emmanuel Macron speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium.Credit: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty

“Crazy” EU rules intended to ensure that green hydrogen is made sustainably are getting in the way of the technology’s scale-up, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron was speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, earlier this month. He is the latest politician in the European Union to criticize the bloc’s requirements that green hydrogen be made in a climate-friendly way, echoing Germany’s government and members of the European Parliament. Although the rules were adopted less than three years ago, the clamour for change is building, aided by pressure from some in the green-hydrogen industry — earlier this month, a handful of companies formed a new lobby group.

Hydrogen fuel isn’t always the green choice

Original source