RWE’s Sopna Sury at an event in 2019
Hydrogen sector must build on COP28 progress
Strong international definition of hydrogen as well as certification of transport and infra-structure safety standards are vital for the development of a global market
A mention of hydrogen in the final COP28 agreement from the UAE will help instil long-term confidence and encourage investment in the sector, according to panellists on a webinar organised by trade association Hydrogen Europe. The text of the agreement calls for the acceleration of low-carbon hydrogen production—the first time hydrogen has been mentioned in a COP decision text. This will help the sector accelerate into the next phase of its development, according to Sopna Sury, chief operating officer for hydrogen at Germany’s RWE Generation. “It does help give a bit more momentum, and I think we will now see an acceleration of partnerships and announcements,” she said. COP28 also saw other
Also in this section
9 March 2026
Hydrogen has not stalled in the UK because the technology does not work. The problem is that the system around it does not yet move at the speed required
4 March 2026
Turmoil in Middle East reminds nascent clean hydrogen sector that its future prospects are dependent on global energy markets and geopolitics
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
