Hydrogen leakage poses growing threat to green scale-up
Electrolysis seen as most leakage-prone production pathway as study warns of sharp increase through 2030 and beyond
Hydrogen leakage is becoming a major concern globally amid the race to scale up output and use, with a new study suggesting electrolysis is the most leakage-prone production route. However, a lack of consistent data makes it difficult to fully assess the issue, leading to regulatory risk. When released into the atmosphere, hydrogen acts as an indirect greenhouse gas as it can cause atmosphere perturbations, leading to the increase in the concentrations of methane, ozone and water vapour, thus offsetting climate benefits. “This leaves the door wide open for regulatory uncertainty” Corbeau, Center on Global Energy Policy A recent study led by researchers at Italy’s Polytechnic Universi
Also in this section
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure






