Baku, Azerbaijan – November 14, 2024 – During the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Hydrogen Energy Center (IHEC), successfully hosted the side event titled “Investing in the Future of Hard-to-Abate Sectors with Low-Emission Hydrogen” at the UNIDO Pavilion. This event attracted broad participation from international organizations, industry experts, representatives from the energy and chemical sectors, academia, and civil society, all gathering to discuss the critical role of hydrogen in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries and its future potential.
The session was moderated by Ms. Ju Wang, Secretary General of IHFCA. Ms. Ju Wang emphasized that hydrogen, as a key clean energy solution, holds significant decarbonization potential within challenging sectors. She noted that this side event aligns with COP29’s central theme of clean energy transition, highlighting hydrogen's transformative impact on heavy transport and other hard-to-abate industries. By exploring technological innovation, policy support, and multilateral cooperation, the event provided fresh insights and perspectives on the global deployment of hydrogen.
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Heng Liu, Senior Technical Advisor for Climate and Technology Partnerships at UNIDO, and Mr. Xiaolong Fu, Deputy Director of IHEC.
Mr. Liu stressed the potential of low-carbon hydrogen production and fuel cell technology to diversify energy structures and support industrial decarbonization. He highlighted UNIDO’s extensive work in promoting low-emission hydrogen technologies globally, particularly through projects like the “China Green Hydrogen: from Production to Hard-to-Abate End Uses,” a collaboration with IHFCA funded by the Global Environmental Facility. These initiatives use innovative business models and public-private partnerships to drive the adoption of low-emission hydrogen technologies across various sectors.
Mr. Fu emphasized hydrogen's vital role in the global energy transition, especially across transportation and industrial sectors. He called for strengthened international cooperation to establish a global certification and trade system for clean hydrogen, accelerating its adoption and industrialization worldwide.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Gurbuz Gonul, Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), who provided data-driven insights into global supply and demand trends for low-emission hydrogen. Mr. Gurbuz Gonul outlined the strategic role of national hydrogen development plans in achieving the 1.5°C climate scenario, noting that by 2050, cross-border trade in green hydrogen and its derivatives is expected to increase significantly, fostering the growth of a global low-carbon economy.
The panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Benny Oeyen, Executive General Manager of Precious Metals Market Development at Anglo American, featured industry leaders, including Mr. Changsheng Yao, CEO of HydoTech; Ms. Audrey Ma, Vice President of REFIRE Group; Ms. Smeeta Fokeer, Research and Industrial Policy Officer at UNIDO; and Mr. Ibrahima Sini, Deputy Director of Planning and Engineering at Mintal Hydrogen Energy Technology. The panel focused on hydrogen’s applications in heavy industry and long-haul transport, addressing technological advancements and policy support. Experts shared insights on infrastructure, cost optimization, and regional demand differences, proposing solutions for scaling hydrogen’s role in hard-to-abate sectors globally.
This side event strengthened international dialogue and cooperation in the hydrogen sector, providing valuable industry insights and policy recommendations to advance the decarbonization of challenging sectors. As a vital component of the clean energy transition, IHFCA will continue to drive technological innovation and multilateral cooperation in hydrogen, working with international partners to help countries achieve their climate goals and sustainable development objectives.