1 1Germany’s great hydrogen raceThe corporate perpetuation of fossil fuels, energy colonialism and climate disasterMarch 2023www.corporateeurope.org2Author: Pia EberhardtEdited by: Ann DohertyCoordinated by: Belén BalanyáDesign and graphics by: Gerard Casadevall BachThanks to: Andy Gheorghiu, Lasse Thiele, Jenny Simon, Katharine Ainger and all interview partners for valuable insights and comments.Published by:Corporate Europe ObservatoryMarch 2023, BrusselsContents of this report may be quoted orreproduced for noncommercial purpose,provided that the source of information is acknowledged.Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) is aresearch and campaign group working toexpose and challenge the disproportionateinfluence that corporations and theirlobbyists exert over EU policy-making. CEOworks in close alliance with public interestgroups and social movements in andoutside of Europe to develop alternatives tothe dominance of corporate power.www.corporateeurope.org3Germany’s great hydrogen raceThe corporate perpetuation of fossil fuels, energy colonialism and climate disasterExecutive summaryFor years, Germany has hyped hydrogen as the centrepiece of a climate-neutral economy and the EU has welcomed this alleged ‘miracle gas’ with open arms. Germany's influential role in setting the EU's agenda has contributed to hydrogen being now at the core of EU climate and industrial policies, and Brussels plans to spend billions in public subsidies to spur Europe’s hydrogen sector.This hype ignores several dirty facts. First, 99 per cent of today’s globally produced hydro-gen is ‘grey’ hydrogen made from fossil fuels, with annual CO2 emissions exceeding those of the entire country of Germany. Second, fossil-based ‘blue’ hydrogen, which is being pr...
