The emerging Hydrogen Economy will help us combat climate change –, but there are still many issues that need to be resolved. Researcher Francisca Gallegos Aguirre points out that while there are many ways to produce clean hydrogen, the carbon footprint still varies from case to case. 

– The environmental impact differs, depending on the production, she says. 

So, how does one know which type of hydrogen is the most sound, environmentally speaking? – Normally, hydrogen produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity has a significantly lower environmental impact than other production methods. Ultimately, the answer lies in the product’s sustainability characteristics, such as its carbon footprint. Therefore, it is necessary to track and trace hydrogen from the production to end use – and mechanisms such as hydrogen certification schemes can be used to verify the characteristics of the product.  

According to Gallegos Aguirre, hydrogen certification schemes are likely to play a crucial role in encouraging investment, enhancing market transparency, and promoting the development of the hydrogen market on a global scale.  

– Globally speaking, there are more than 30 hydrogen certification schemes right now. The problem is that they are not aligned in terms of their sustainability criteria, she says. 

– We need to harmonize the existing certification schemes landscape to improve transparency, comparability, and interoperability between different schemes and regulatory frameworks around the world. 

Hydrogen certification is either regulatory or voluntary 

Gallegos Aguirre is currently working on her PhD, researching how sustainability certification schemes can be best implemented in the upcoming hydrogen market – and just how effective they can be in tracking and tracing GHG emissions throughout the entire value chain?

There are, in essence, two different types of hydrogen certification schemes: compliance schemes and voluntary schemes.  

Compliance schemes are driven by legislation such as the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, while voluntary schemes are typically driven by the market for disclosure purposes.  

– Companies often demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through voluntary schemes that, sometimes, go beyond regulations, Gallegos Aguirre says. 

Finnish gas platform presents learning opportunities 

Gallegos Aguirre is a fellow of the THERESA MSCA Doctoral Network project, a collaborative research network focused on the legal aspects of hydrogen, involving the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), and the University of Groningen. Her PhD studies have brought this Chilean native to Finland, where she has had the chance to learn more about this field. 

– Collaborating with Gasgrid, one of the partners of the project, I’ve been able to see how gas markets and hydrogen certification processes work in practice. 

For an academic, it is invaluable to receive also “hands-on” experience, and Gallegos Aguirre credits Service Manager Heli Haapea from Gasgrid for showing her the ropes. 

– I’m extremely grateful to Heli, who has been super generous with her time and knowledge, she says. 

Heli Haapea says that Gasgrid is eagerly waiting for the results of the dissertation. 

– This research provides valuable information for the entire industry and also supports Gasgrid’s own development effort to promote the hydrogen market, Haapea notes. 

Smart regulation can have a big impact on sustainability

Having started work on her PhD thesis two years ago, Gallegos Aguirre is looking to conclude her thesis in autumn 2026. She has enjoyed the process so far and remains “fascinated” by hydrogen and its role in the energy transition towards a sustainable future.  

– I am passionate about sustainability and believe that regulation can make a big difference in fighting climate change. 

Clean hydrogen is set to play a crucial role in the energy mix of the future, but currently accounts for less than five percent of all hydrogen produced today. While the EU plans to significantly increase renewable hydrogen production, building an effective and efficient market will take time. In all this, Gallegos Aguirre perceives a great opportunity for Finland to serve as a forerunner: 

– Finland can play a key role in the emergence of renewable hydrogen, as it has access to wind power, infrastructure, and expertise, she says, adding that Finland can export renewable hydrogen to markets in Central Europe where the demand continues to grow.   

– Gasgrid can support and enable this transition in a very significant way. 

Hydrogen is not a silver bullet – it is still a key part of the climate solution 

Still, Gallegos Aguirre notes that renewable and low-carbon hydrogen is only part of the solution and must be integrated with other technologies such as electrification and energy efficiency, among others.  

– Clean hydrogen should be used where it makes sense, such as in hard-to-abate sectors; it is not a magic solution for everything. Hydrogen will only play a key role in the energy transition and help tackle climate change if it is produced with low emissions, she concludes.