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The report argues that the European Union's 2020 hydrogen strategy was overly ambitious and requires recalibration to align with market realities. It advocates for a pragmatic, implementation-focused approach that prioritizes 'hard-to-electrify' sectors—such as steel, maritime, and fertilizers—while utilizing a combination of mandates ('sticks') and targeted funding ('carrots') to bridge the cost gap between renewable hydrogen and fossil-based alternatives.

This report by RMI analyzes the strategic importance of green hydrogen imports for the European Union to meet its 2030 decarbonization and energy security targets. It argues that domestic production alone will be insufficient to meet demand, particularly in Northwest Europe, and that the EU must urgently address policy gaps in funding, certification, and port infrastructure to facilitate trade with global suppliers like the United States and Australia.

This briefing by RMI argues that hydrogen is a critical complement to electrification in the energy transition, particularly for hard-to-abate industrial sectors and heavy transport. It outlines the different production methods—distinguishing between grey, blue, and green hydrogen—and highlights the potential for green hydrogen to drive renewable energy demand and decarbonize industrial value chains.