Carbon Intensity of Hydrogen Production Methods Supporting the BC Hydrogen Strategy

Carbon Intensity of Hydrogen Production Methods Supporting the BC Hydrogen Strategy

Hydrogen plays a critical role in helping British Columbia achieve its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, by enabling the province to decarbonize energy systems and facilitate transition to a low-carbon economy.

In 2021, the BC government released the BC Hydrogen Strategy, which outlined support for low-carbon hydrogen production and how it can help meet provincial climate targets and economic goals. Understanding the carbon intensity of different hydrogen production pathways is key to fostering the right decisions regarding hydrogen’s role in decarbonization.

Exploring potential carbon intensity thresholds and reduction schedules will ensure BC’s hydrogen economy is clean and continually reducing the province’s emissions. Carbon intensity (CI) is a measure of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of energy produced, and is typically expressed in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) per megajoule (MJ). Determining the CI of hydrogen production pathways helps inform decision-making and investments towards pathways based on their GHG emissions. In the context of BC’s Hydrogen Strategy, incorporating CI into hydrogen production and use implementation can help build BC’s hydrogen economy to meet provincial net-zero goals.

This report has been produced by Deloitte and (S&T)2 on behalf of the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) and the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI). The report is intended to provide data and insights that support the determination of the lifecycle CI for selected hydrogen pathways, and to explore the highest potential for CI reductions. We recognize that the hydrogen landscape is quickly changing. The jurisdictional data and incentives presented in this report are current as of October 2022 and may not reflect the most recent updates.

Hydrogen Canada